MPB

MPB on vinyl: Brazil’s popular music

In short: MPB stands for “Música Popular Brasileira” – Brazilian popular music as it emerged from the mid-sixties after bossa nova. Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa and Milton Nascimento became known at TV festivals; from 1967 the Tropicália movement mixed rock, psychedelia and Brazilian traditions. The Vinyl Room currently has 34 MPB records.

What is MPB?

A term with plenty of room: Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa and Tom Zé with “Grande Liquidação” stand for Tropicália, Milton Nascimento with “Milagre Dos Peixes” for the music of Minas Gerais. Jorge Ben brings samba and soul together, Marcos Valle elegant pop songs.

Egberto Gismonti combines vocals and instrumental music on “Água & Vinho”, and Arthur Verocai sounds orchestral on his 1972 self-titled album. Bruno Berle represents a younger generation.

What to look for

Check label, catalogue number and country of release – that’s how you tell Brazilian originals from later editions. Which edition you get is noted with each copy.

From our stock

First pressings

New in

→ Marcos Valle · Bossa nova · Samba · Latin on vinyl · How to spot a first pressing · Grading explained

FAQ

What does MPB stand for? “Música Popular Brasileira” – Brazilian popular music from the mid-sixties on.

What was Tropicália? A movement from 1967 around Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa and Tom Zé that mixed rock and psychedelia with Brazilian music.

What is the difference from bossa nova? Bossa nova is a specific, quiet style of the late fifties; MPB is the broader term for the popular music that followed.

Who is Milton Nascimento? A singer and songwriter who grew up in Minas Gerais, here for example with “Milagre Dos Peixes” and “Último Trem”.