Legacy Recordings Releasing Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection, Featuring Iconic Vocal Recordings Fused With New Brazilian Grooves via Production Vision of The Berman Brothers

NEW YORK, May 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection, an innovative collection of 12 beloved vocal recordings re-experienced through new samba and bossa nova arrangements created by iconic Brazilian musicians and The Berman Brothers.  The perfect summer soundtrack party album, Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection includes first single, "Lovely Day (Studio Rio Version)" by Bill Withers with Studio Rio and will be released just in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, scheduled for June 12^th - July 13^th. Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection is available now at all digital music providers; the 12" vinyl LP arrives on May 27^th with a CD edition following on June 23^rd.

Embracing the All In One Rhythm™ Theme of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection blends 12 iconic performances - from Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Billie Holiday, Sly & The Family Stone, The Isley Brothers, Mel Torme, Nina Simone, Johnny Nash, Dave Brubeck with Carmen McRae, Andy Williams and Sarah Vaughan - with new samba and bossa nova arrangements and production inspired by the spirit of Brazilian music.

Tracks from Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection will be included throughout ESPN's comprehensive coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, with multiple songs from the album slated to soundtrack the network's multi-platform presentation of the quadrennial tournament. In addition, the collection's "It's Your Thing" (Studio Rio Version)" by The Isley Brothers with Studio Rio is among the highlights included on Sony Music Entertainment's recently released One Love, One Rhythm – The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Album.

Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection is the latest innovative musical project from the award-winning production duo, the Berman Brothers (Frank and Christian). The project saw the Berman Brothers seeking out the original multi-track masters and then utilizing state-of-the-art separation technology from Science of Sounds to extract exquisitely pristine and detailed vocals.  The newly isolated vocals were then melded with brand-new, authentic backing arrangements played by Studio Rio, an all-star cast of Brazilian musical pioneers from the bossa nova and samba genres, including Latin GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award winner Roberto Menescal and Brazilian musical legend Marcos Valle.

"Music is the heart and soul of Brazil, celebrating with syncopated beats and beautifully expressive melodies. It's the life force of the entire culture," wrote the Berman Brothers in their notes for Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection.  "We have always had a huge appreciation of Brazilian music. Between us, we have a massive collection of bossa nova and samba recordings, new and old, a lot which we found in flea markets in Amsterdam, Paris, and London.... Once you get into this music, there really is no way to stop. It was this joyful and timeless music that inspired the idea for this collection. Our goal was to bring the Brazilian joie de vivre to iconic performances by well-known American artists like Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers, and many others. What would these classic songs sound like had they been recorded in the studios of Rio de Janeiro in the first place, with the best Brazilian musicians and arrangers?"

"It was an amazing journey—bringing together these American classics and the vibrancy of Brazilian music with the help of so many talented musicians, arrangers and a dedicated production team. We learned many things putting together this music including what was the most important, and least surprising lesson of all: Brazil is the most musical place we have ever been in our lives."

The Berman Brothers have a long history of coupling classic and contemporary sounds from around the world, including Rhythms Del Mundo (2006), a cross-cultural album summit which fused an all-star cast of Cuban musicians like Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo of the Buena Vista Social Club with US and UK artists and superstars including U2, Coldplay, Sting, Jack Johnson, Maroon5, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs and others. Rhythms del Mundo was released in more than 61 countries and received multiple sales awards worldwide. 

During the past 20 years, the Berman Brothers have received more than 90 gold and platinum awards, two BMI Awards, a GRAMMY® nomination (for "Love One Another," recorded by Cher) and a place in history for their production and remix of the Baha Men's colossal hit, "Who Let the Dogs Out."  As producers, writers and publishers, the Bermans have worked with an array of international superstars including Coldplay, Sting, Cher, Real McCoy, Dido, Maroon5, Sophie B. Hawkins, Reamonn, and members of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club.

Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection 
(COMPLETE TRACKLISTING)

1. Bill Withers with Studio Rio - Lovely Day
2. Aretha Franklin with Studio Rio - Walk On By
3. Marvin Gaye with Studio Rio - Sexual Healing
4. Billie Holiday with Studio Rio - You've Changed
5. Sly & The Family Stone with Studio Rio - Family Affair
6. The Isley Brothers with Studio Rio - It's Your Thing
7. Mel Torme with Studio Rio - I've Got You Under My Skin
8. Nina Simone with Studio Rio – I Wish I Knew What It Means To Be Free
9. Johnny Nash with Studio Rio - I Can See Clearly Now
10. Dave Brubeck with Carmen McRae with Studio Rio - Take 5
11. Andy Williams with Studio Rio - Music To Watch Girls By
12. Sarah Vaughan with Studio Rio – Summertime

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SOURCE Legacy Recordings