Dreaming of Brazil

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Dreaming of Brazil – your Sunday evening passage to the heart of Brazilian music

Every Sunday evening, Dreaming of Brazil takes you deep into one of the world’s richest musical traditions. New releases sit alongside forgotten gems, in the context of the tradition behind them.

Air time

Beginning Sunday, 3 May 2026!

Sundays 7-8pm EST USA

WCOM-LP 103.5 FM Chapel Hill/Carrboro NC USA

Streaming at wcomfm.org/listen-live/ or your favorite radio- streaming app

Coming soon: Live streaming from WCOM-LP studios on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/dreamingofbrazil

Recent playlist

SET 1

  1. Traversée — Anaïs Sylla | Exil — 2:26 (2026)
  2. Comum (Em Xote) — Àvuà (Bruna Black & Jota.pê) | single (Dorsal Musik) — 4:02 (2026; xote reworking of “Comum,” originally on ÀVUÀ’s 2022 debut album Percorrer em Nós)
  3. Afim de Verão — Julia Mestre | single (Universal Music) — 5:01 (2026)
  4. Talvez um Dia — Michael Pipoquinha (comp. Pipoquinha, Mari Jasca & Wilson Bebel) | single, from forthcoming album (title TBA, due later 2026) — 3:13 (2026)

SET 2

  1. Tempo É Agora — Clayton Barros | Primitivo Atemporal — 3:40 (2026)
  2. Ponteio e Toccatina — Gabriele Leite (comp. Lina Pires de Campos) | Gunûncho — 3:27 (2025)
  3. O Vento — Marcelo Galter (comp. Dorival Caymmi) | Marcelo Galter investiga a beleza sem fim de Dorival Caymmi (Rocinante) — 5:25 (2026)
  4. II. Brincadeira — Stephanie Borgani & Quarteto Mímica | Mímica: Música Para Quatro Instrumentos (YB Music) — 5:11 (2026)

SET 3

  1. Oriente — Gaia Wilmer Large Ensemble feat. Mônica Salmaso (comp. Gilberto Gil) | Parabólico: Reflections on Gilberto Gil, Vol. 1 — 11:48 (2026; song originally 1972, from Gil’s album Expresso 2222)
  2. Dia Branco — Geraldo Azevedo (comp. Geraldo Azevedo & Renato Rocha) | Inclinações Musicais — 2:28 (1981)
  3. Mau-Olhado — Papangu | Celestial — 3:04 (2026)

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“A gente não faz shows para nós. Faz shows para a música. A música é a grande artista dos nossos sonhos.”

Leny Andrade

WCOM is Chapel Hill & Carrboro’s community radio station, broadcasting locally on 103.5 FM and streaming worldwide at wcomfm.org.

Record of the week

Gaia Wilmer Large Ensemble Featuring Monica Salmaso, Parabólico: Reflections on Gilberto Gil, Volume 1 (2026)

About

Dreaming of Brazil is a production of Chris Censullo. My original motivation was to share my interest in Brazilian music with my local community. I hope something you hear on my program sends you down the rabbit hole to discover some new favorite sounds.

“Brazilian music” is not one thing. It is a vast heritage, a kaleidoscope reflecting the expression of people from a wide variety of cultures. It is a mansion with many rooms.

My taste favors acoustic instrumentation, impeccable arrangements, and poetic lyrics. I wander through Brazilian music history from the 19th century onward and try to hear contemporary releases in context. I prefer artists that extend and challenge the tradition, as long as the roots are audible and the artistry is genuine.

Play “Carinhoso” by Pixinguinha (1897-1973), featuring Willemien Insinger (flute) and Chris Censullo (guitar)