Description
Release Date Friday 31st October 2025
All pre-orders will be dispatched/made ready for collection for that date.
Following Mr Bongo's reissue of Studio Rio's exquisite Brazilian-infused take
on Bill Withers' 'Lovely Day', which was one of the standout hits from last
summer, we shine a light on another of their superb remakes
Masterminded and produced by the German, Grammy award- winning Berman
Brothers, and using the same all-star cast behind the Bill Withers' reinterpretation, they
put a joyous Brazilian twist on the Marvin Gaye classic 'Sexual Healing'. Rich in
positivity and a pure end-of-the-night classic, this is another surefire winner to light up
any occasion.
A project born out of Christian & Frank Berman's, aka the Berman Brothers, passion for
Brazilian music, they had wondered what some of the all-time classic US soul songs
would sound like if they had been recorded in Rio de Janeiro with the best Brazilian
musicians. "The idea took root in the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro. Beyond the
city's main carnival, countless neighbourhood block parties pulse with live samba
drumming, colourful costumes, and a joyful mix of freedom, music, and cultural
expression. The goal was to capture this spirit and channel it into Gaye's timeless hit,"
explain the Berman Brothers.
Heading to Rio in 2013, the brothers assembled a select team of top-level Brazilian
musicians including many sidemen to one of Brazil's most influential composers, Tom
Jobim. They brought in Torcuato Mariano, renowned for his work with Djavan and
Gilberto Gil, to arrange the songs, drawing inspiration from classic '60s / '70s Brazilian
samba recordings for this new remake. Another addition was Pretinho da Serrinha,
one of Brazil's most acclaimed samba musicians, who worked with Seu Jorge,
Caetano Veloso, and Lulu Santos. His masterful percussion and cavaquinho playing
gave the track its irresistible summer energy.
Having spoken to Sony about their idea, they were given access to the multitrack
tapes, meaning they could present Marvin's original vocal take with this reimagined
Brazilian flavour. "Our goal was to create an authentic samba recording to accompany
Marvin Gaye's vocal performance. We wanted to honour the original while creating
something fresh - hoping people would feel as if the song had been recorded this way
from the very beginning".
Remoulding Gaye's iconic lovers' anthem from 1982, the brothers flipped 'Sexual
Healing' into a joy-filled, smouldering samba-driven beauty. It's a breezy, light-hearted
remake, with Marvin's sublime soul delivery sitting perfectly amidst the shuffling
cavaquinho and cuica groove. Uplifting horn stabs, building melodies, and heartfelt
harmonies elevate the song to an ecstatic climax.
Now pressed to 45 for the first time, with the instrumental on the B-side, this single is
the perfect cut to ignite the party or as that feel-good closer that will send everyone
home on a high.
Tracks: Sexual Healing (Studio Rio Version) / Sexual Healing (Studio Rio Instrumental
Version)
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