Elenco

Elenco is a Brazilian record label founded in 1963 by Aloysio de Oliveira and often considered as one of the most influential labels for Bossa nova and Música popular brasileira (MPB). Musicians such as Baden Powell, Astrud Gilberto or Antonio Carlos Jobim have recorded stellar albums for Elenco, which are today considered as masterpieces of the genre. The most significant records were released between 1963 and 1968 and are instantly recognizable through their artwork by Cesar G. Villela, which often consists of a monochrome photography by Francisco Pereira or painting scattered with small red dots. These records are also noteworthy for the high quality recording techniques used at Rio Som studios in Rio de Janeiro by engineer Norman Sternberg. Many Elenco records have been reissued on CD, most notably in Japan. LP’s are harder to find and are considered today as highly-priced collector items. Elenco was sold to Philips in 1968.