Jorge Ben – Samba Esquema Novo

Armed with a unique percussive guitar style that merged rural Brazilian samba with contemporary acoustic jazz rhythms, Jorge Ben tore up the Rio musical rulebook with this 1963 debut. Lead track Mas que Nada became an international standard, but the entire record bounces with irrepressible street energy and swagger. With brass arrangements from J.T. Meirelles and Ben's playful, rhythmic vocal delivery, the album introduced an irresistible urban groove that permanently transformed modern Brazilian popular music.