1980 · Album
A Brazilian Love Affair
Epic Records · Released: 1980 · Chart Peak (US Billboard Top Soul Albums): No. 40 · Chart Peak (UK Pop Albums): No. 33
Tropical Heat, Synthesizer Soul
A Brazilian Love Affair arrived quietly in 1980, caught between critical skepticism and modest commercial success.
A Brazilian Love Affair arrived quietly in 1980, caught between critical skepticism and modest commercial success. The album peaked at No. 40 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 33 on the UK Pop Albums Chart—respectable enough to reach people, but not enough to make noise. AllMusic gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, recognizing something genuine in the grooves, while other critics were less convinced. This wasn't a record that landed with force or built a cult reputation over time. It simply existed as a solid mid-career entry, one that George Duke fans picked up and others mostly missed.
What Duke does here is straightforward: he brings synthesizer textures into a bossa-informed framework, working with Byron Miller and Jamil Joanes on bass, Roland Bautista and Toninho Horta on guitar, and a brass section anchored by Bill Reichenbach, Jr. and Raul de Souza. The rhythmic foundation is steady and swinging rather than loose or experimental. Larry Williams on tenor saxophone adds warmth without showboating. The sound is warm, polished, and decidedly of its moment—1980s smooth jazz sensibility applied to Brazilian materials.
This sits somewhere between Duke's keyboard-forward work and genuine jazz collaboration. It's not a masterpiece, and the critical split tells you that. But it's competent and pleasant, the kind of record that rewards attention if you're already interested in how synthesizers could work within acoustic ensemble settings during this era. Not essential, but honest.
Who's playing
Byron Millerbass
Jamil Joanesbass
Roland Bautistaguitar
Toninho Hortaguitar
Milton Nascimentoacoustic guitar
Larry Williamstenor saxophone
Bill Reichenbach, Jr.trombone
Raul de Souzatrombone
George Dukesynthesizer
Ricky Lawsondrums
Robertinho Silvadrums
Roberto Silvadrums
Airtopercussion
Airto Moreirapercussion
Chico Baterapercussion
Jerry Heyflugelhorn
Sheila E.timbales
Where next?
More by George Duke
All 29 albums →
The musicians on this record
Ao Vivo 1983
Milton Nascimento
plays acoustic guitar here
plays acoustic guitar here
Colors 1975
Raul De Souza
plays trombone here
plays trombone here
Sem Você 1995
Toninho Horta
plays guitar here
plays guitar here
♫
Touching You...Touching Me 1979
Airto Moreira
plays percussion here
plays percussion here
