luaka bop presents this album from contemporary brazilian legend kassin. one of the leading producers and instrumentalists in brazilian music, alexandre kassin has produced roughly 100 records for singers, including marisa monte and bebel gilberto, recorded with sean oÕhagan (stereolab, high llamas) and made a full album based on nintendo game boy sounds. he has played bass for caetano velosoÕs live shows and conceptualized the orchestra imperial band. his new album, relax, is rooted in dreams and surrealism, yet grounded enough to reach listeners where they are. across 11 tracks, kassin flirts with latin rhythms, brazilian pop, and straight-ahead soul, using this varied stylistic array to tell imagined tales of death, drug usage, politics and fate. theres a dichotomy to relax, with kassins arrangements often feeling bright and danceable, yet with incredibly sullen themes. its a record that speaks directly to the yin and yang of everyday life, and the uncertainty that comes with simply existing.

1 x vinyl 2lp, gatefold with printed inner sleeves, 64 pages booklet

domenico writes and co-writes all the songs, sings, plays guitar and designs the rhythmically adventurous soundscapes heard on cine prive. with the help of old (pedro sa, alberto continentino, moreno veloso, kassin, and adriana calcanhotto) and newer (money mark, darin gray & glenn kotche of duo on fillmore) friends and musical collaborators the songs were recorded live in the studio with most tracks calling on no more than three musicians at a time.