Eumir Deodato: reviews, albums and essential info

Eumir Deodato

Musician

Forjazz-fusion fans, crate diggers, latin jazz listeners, gta vice city nostalgics
3 Reviews 1 Definitions 1 Charts

The Profile

Brazilian keyboardist, composer, arranger and producer. Rose to international fame in the early 1970s with CTI albums Prelude and Deodato 2; his adaptation “Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)” won the 1974 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Later produced major hits for Kool & the Gang.

Arranged for Antônio Carlos Jobim and Wes Montgomery; early 1970s CTI Records standout; collaborators include Billy Cobham and John Tropea; producer for Kool & the Gang’s late‑70s/early‑80s crossover era; signature hit: “Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)” (Grammy, 1974).

Three reviews trace Deodato’s fusion of Latin grooves, jazz virtuosity and symphonic adaptations. Prelude earns high praise, powered by Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001). Deodato 2 is celebrated for Super Strut, Latin Flute and Do It Again. Whirlwinds is deemed solid but less inspired, with notable cameos from John Tropea and Billy Cobham.

Notable Quotes

❝ Who is Eumir Deodato? The answer is very simple: one of the greatest geniuses of contemporary music.

❝ The tracks are very calm and warm, full of life and freshness.

❝ Much better is the final title track, once again thanks to the decisive contribution of John Tropea, who, not surprisingly, inaugurates the piece with great flair, immediately followed by the horn section and followed by the long suite meant to highlight Deodato's good skills on the keyboards, but also leaves room for Billy Cobham's commitment.