Azymuth – Marca Passo ( Far Out Recordings, 2025)
Brazilian jazz-funk pioneers Azymuth return with Marca Passo, their first studio album in nearly a decade, and a tribute to five decades since their 1975 debut, Azimuth. Released on June 6, 2025, via Far Out Recordings, the album intertwines the band’s signature samba-infused grooves with funk and jazz.
Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Marca Passo is Azymuth’s first release since the death of founding drummer Ivan “Mamão” Conti in 2023 and keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. Bassist Alex Malheiros, now the group’s only original member, leads the project alongside long-time keyboardist Kiko Continentino (Milton Nascimento, Djavan) and drummer Renato Massa (Marcos Valle, Ed Motta).
Although personnel have changed, the band’s core identity remains intact. Drawing from the Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) studio scene of the 1970s and ’80s, Marca Passo updates Azymuth’s trademark sound, mixing Brazilian rhythms with jazz fusion, funk, rock, and psychedelia, for a new generation of listeners.
The album is produced by Daniel Maunick, who also helmed Azymuth’s previous releases Fênix (2016) and Aurora (2011). Notably, his father, Incognito’s Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, contributes guitar to a reworking of “Last Summer in Rio,” in honor of Bertrami. Another notable track, “Samba Pro Mamão,” pays tribute to Conti.
Marca Passo is available on limited edition colored vinyl, CD, and digital formats. Supporting tours are scheduled across Europe and North America.
Buy Marca Passo.
Track list:
- Fantasy ’82
- Belenzinho
- Marca Tempo
- O Mergulhador
- Last Summer in Rio (Featuring Jean Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick, of Incognito)
- Arabutã
- Crianças Valentes
- Andaraí
- Samba Pro Mamão
- Togu
- Arabutã (Daniel Maunick Extended Mix)
North America Tour
June 20 – Amsterdam Bar & Hall, St. Paul, MN, USA
June 21 – Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI, USA
June 22 – Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL, USA
June 24 – Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
June 26 – Lee’s Palace, Toronto, ON, Canada
June 27 – Montréal Jazz Festival, Montréal, QC, Canada
June 28 – Follow The Arrow, Palenville, NY, USA
June 29 – Sony Hall, New York, NY, USA