Waltel Branco - Meu Balanco

A jewel of Brazilian jazz funk returns. Meu Balanço, the 1975 masterwork from guitarist, arranger, and composer Waltel Branco, is back in print courtesy of Mr Bongo. First reissued by the label in 1995, the album has only grown in reputation since, with original pressings becoming rare collector pieces. This new edition brings the music back to listeners who have been searching for a clean, affordable copy of one of Brazil’s most charming and cinematic instrumental records.

Waltel Branco was a true maestro whose work stretched across decades and genres. His arrangements can be heard throughout the golden era of Brazilian music, and on Meu Balanço he channels that deep experience into a vibrant blend of jazz funk, big band orchestrations, and soundtrack inspired moods. It’s a record that feels both rooted in Brazil and in conversation with the library, film, and TV music being created in Europe and the US during the seventies.

The players behind the sessions read like a who’s who of unheralded studio greats: Luizão Maia holding down the bass, Edmundo Maciel adding bold trombone lines, and Paulinho Braga driving the rhythms. Their collective chemistry delivers grooves that are warm, playful, and endlessly replayable. You’ll hear moments that foreshadow the sample rich sound of modern beatmakers like Madlib, Knxwledge, and The Alchemist.

Whether you are a collector of Brazilian classics, a fan of jazz funk, or a crate digger who loves cinematic grooves, Meu Balanço is essential and timeless.