Azymuth

Azymuth is a foundational Brazilian trio that redefined the boundaries of jazz fusion by integrating traditional samba and partido alto rhythms with modern electronic instrumentation. Formed in 1973, the group emerged from the fertile Rio de Janeiro session scene, having worked with icons like Marcos Valle and Erasmo Carlos.

Their sound identity is defined by the interplay between Bertrami's Rhodes-heavy textures, Malheiros's 'hydromatic' bass style, and Conti's unique drumming which blends jazz kit techniques with traditional Brazilian percussion. Culturally, they served as a bridge between the MPB movement and the international acid jazz scene of the 1990s, finding a second life on the Far Out Recordings label. Their influence is vast, touching house music producers, hip-hop samplers, and the global rare groove community. Critical consensus views them as the definitive jazz-funk outfit of South America, praised for maintaining a consistent 'cosmic' aesthetic across five decades without losing their rhythmic roots.