MADLIB SAMPLES #10: Waldir Calmon – E Seus Multisons (1970, Copacabana)

On this Sunday’s ‘Madlib Samples’ we go to Brazil in 1970 to rediscover a rare but essential gem. Waldir Calmon was a Brazilian pianist and composer, born in 1919 in Rio de Janeiro, and was a prolific musician releasing a mixture of fusion-jazz, psychedelic rock and Latin Jazz music since his first LP Série Feito Para Dançar (Gravadora Rádio), released in 1954. In 1970, he released an album titled E Seus Multisons, a musically diverse and rich album full of upbeat Latin jazz grooves, grand keys, impeccable drumming and a positive vibe.

The first track off his 1970 classic is titled “Airport Love Theme,” a moody, key-driven track that captures a vibe that Madlib would discover and later sample. If you know about Madlib’s discography and worship his iconic collaborative album with MF DOOM as Madvillain, then you would instantly recognise this melody as the basis of “Curls,” track 9 off their classic album Madvillainy. The way he flips it and samples it so effortlessly for DOOM to spit that legendary verse:

“Villain get the money like curls
They just tryin’ to get a nut like squirrels in his mad world
Land of milk and honey with the swirls
Where reckless naked girls get necklaces of pearls”

and so on… The melody is instantly recognisable and a beautiful one as well. With organ-led piano keys, subtle guitar riff in the background, it gives out an eerie, pretty badass vibe – it would fit a James Bond film perfectly. This feeling is captured on Madvillain’s track “Curls” perfectly, with a charismatic and unassuming MF DOOM spitting in his trademark unorthodox flow over a silky, smooth beat. One of the clear highlights on the greatest underground hip-hop album in history.

You can listen to Waldir Calmon’s original “Airport Love Theme” below, as stream his 1970 rare classic E Seus Multisons in its entirety.

You can listen to “Curls” by Madvillain below as well.

You can find purchase information for Waldir Calmon’s E Seus Multisons over at discogs.com.