What makes Beat the Donkey by Cyro Baptista notable?

This album is significant for its role in showcasing Afro-Brazilian rhythms to a wider audience, blending traditional sounds with contemporary jazz elements. It received positive critical reception and helped cement Baptista's reputation as an innovative musician, influencing subsequent artists in the world music genre. When Cyro Baptista released 'Beat the Donkey' in 2002, he was transitioning from being an acclaimed percussionist to a solo artist with a distinctive voice. This album followed his work with notable figures like Herbie Hancock and Paul Simon, marking a significant step in establishing his unique artistic identity within the global music scene.

How many songs are on Beat the Donkey?

Beat the Donkey has 12 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Beat the Donkey

Cyro Baptista · 2002

43 min · 12 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of Brazilian rhythms and eclectic instrumentation that dances between jazz improvisation and world music motifs.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Caranguejo Estrela Brilhante (The Crab and the Shining Star) — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its intricate percussion and melodic interplay, embodying Baptista's ability to weave storytelling into music.
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Sapo and the Prince — The playful rhythm and whimsical arrangement make this track a standout, highlighting Baptista's talent for blending narrative with engaging soundscapes.
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Rio de Jakarta — This track exemplifies Baptista's global influences, merging Brazilian styles with Southeast Asian flavors, showcasing his versatility as a composer and performer.
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Funk I Live at La Plaza (live) — Capturing the energy of live performance, this track emphasizes Baptista’s dynamic stage presence and improvisational skills, making it a memorable highlight of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases diverse rhythms and instrumentation, creating a unique blend of jazz and world music.

What we noticed

The instrumentation varies significantly from track to track, with some featuring lush horn arrangements while others focus on minimalist percussive elements.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Caranguejo Estrela Brilhante (The Crab and the Shining Star) 4:44
2 Sapo and the Prince 2:29
3 Cyrandeiro 4:23
4 Sweet Cuica 2:15
5 O Canto da Ema 3:46
6 Parar De Fumar 4:19
7 Rio de Jakarta 5:08
8 Tapping the Stars 2:49
9 Anastacia 2:38
10 Mr. Bugaloo 3:23
11 Ama 3:27
12 Funk I Live at La Plaza (live) 4:00

What to play next

Listen next

Beat the Donkey Beat

2004

Go back to

Brazilian Watercolour

1999

Full Cyro Baptista discography Artists like Cyro Baptista

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata