Mas Que Nada (Bossa Nova) - Nord C1 Hammond B-3 Clonewheel Organ Clavia

Here is my arrangement of Mas Que Nada. The song was originally recorded by Jorge Ben Jor in 1963 and became a hit in Brazil. The song was also a hit and wider spread with Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66. For this version though, my inspiration has been Luiz Henriqeue's 1966 recording. For me, Henriqeue's recording is by far the best I've heard of the song.

I play the melody without much embellishments, except that I add a few grace notes during the trademark first part, and I play it not high up, to get it sound more full. I also add a short bluesy solo with some cross-rhythms. And as usual I use 'non-tonal' keyboard 'thumps' as a rhythmic device. What else? Well, the left hand bass pattern is laying the foundation, and there are also some bossa nova rhythms added.

The organ is a Clavia Nord C1 - a Hammond B-3 clonewheel organ.

Nord C1 Registrations and Settings:
Upper 88 8000 000. No Chorus. Percussion On, Soft, Fast, Third.
Lower 80 8000 000. Chorus C2.
Bass lower manual 70.
Leslie simulator Stop position.
Equalizer Treble -5dB, Mid -5dB, Bass 0dB.
Overdrive/Drive Off.
Reverb Hall, Soft, 40%.
Tonewheel mode Vintage 2 (high level of tonewheel crosstalk and cable leakage artefacts).

The sound is recorded line out from the organ. No additional external effects, external amplifiers or speakers are used.
----------
To be sure to watch this video with better picture and sound, please, choose the highest resolution possible.
------------------

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mas
• Que
• Nada
• Bossa
• Nova
• Jorge
• Ben
• Jor
• Sergio
• Mendez
• Luiz
• Henrique
• Soul
• Jazz
• Nord
• C1
• Hammond
• B-3
• Clonewheel
• Organ
• Clavia
• Instrumental

[octoceasar]

I imagine myself in a tuxedo smoking some really expensive cigar, driving a vintage car all over the Brazillian terrain. Gosh, I can really feel Brazil with this.

[rounder2u]

Hi octoceasar

Poetry in comments. Many thanks! Longing for Brazil now...

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[palimbani]

wow... it was great and amazing ...

[rounder2u]

Thanks palimbani!

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[LuccaTotti]

Great version , congrats! Nice tone and playing. However I feel the swing is just a bit off and needs to be a little more relaxed. But as I'm brazilian , I guees I'm just kinda accustomed with a more bossa-like swing than the jazz swing. It's still much better than most american "bossa" players I've seen in youtoube.

Cheers

[rounder2u]

Hi LuccaTotti

Thanks! If I get a thumbs-up from a brazilian, it's more than I deserve.

Working on that elusive thing called swing is an ever ongoing activity. At least for me. Wish I could borrow a bit of Richard 'Groove' Holmes brain regarding the swing departement :-)

(for some unknown reason you comment was flagged as spam. I 'un-flagged' it, as it is as far from spam as it can be. Well, those YouTube quirks...)

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[rounder2u]

Hi Lucifer

Oh, dear... At least I did that in rhythm, I hope :-)

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[Luciferminusone]

In the beginning and end it sounds like your farting when you hit that one key a bunch of times. Excuse you!

[rounder2u]

Thanks Ron Gang!

Yeah, that was a co-incidence for sure! Nice medley of yours :-)

Keep swinging,

Rounder