Female vocal

Vanessa Da Mata – Sim – 2007

Sim is Vanessa da Mata’s third album and the first after the huge commercial success of Essa Boneca Tem Manual, from 2004. If Essa Boneca Tem Manual was a blatant, although undeniably very successful, appeal to pure commercialism and the radio hit lists, Sim is a firm step back towards a more intellectual approach to Brazilian pop music. Liminha, who produced the last album, has been substituted by the hip and hyped production duo Kassin and Mario Caldato. As usual when Kassin is involved, the result is an excellent and very fresh sounding production which manages to give a very modern impression without appearing fake or overproduced. Sim was partly recorded in Jamaica, and reggae is indeed one of the primary themes of the album. “Vermelho,” “Ilegais,” and “Absurdo” are all pure reggae songs. And as a bonus, Sly & Robbie, one of Jamaica’s most acclaimed and prolific producer teams, contribute on five tracks. A less welcome guest appearance is that of Ben Harper, who lends his voice and English lyrics to “Boa Sorte/Good Luck.” The purpose of Harper’s presence is undoubtedly to keep the attention of the mainstream teenage crowd, who first discovered da Mata through the success of Essa Boneca Tem Manual. It has to be said, though, that in spite of Harper, “Boa Sorte/Good Luck” is actually a quite nice song. “Baú” with its imposing and danceable Afro-beat is one of the real highlights of the album. As is the opening reggae “Vermelho” and the romantic dance track “Você Vai Me Destruir,” written together with guitarist Fernando Cacatau and flirting enthusiastically with ’70s style disco. Apart from the three reggae tracks, the music on Sim (for all its obvious pop mannerisms) stands firmly rooted in the rich Brazilian music tradition, drawing from samba, baiao, coco and even brega. The album conclusion is a simple and sweet little song, where da Mata is backed only by her own acoustic guitar. ~ Philip Jandovsky

Lyricists: Samantha Caldato; Vanessa da Mata.

Personnel: Vanessa da Mata (vocals, guitar); Ricardo Prado (guitar, electric piano); Fernando Catatau, Davi Moraes, Pedro Sá (guitar); Harold Emert (oboe, horns); Andre Rafael (trumpet); Nambo Robinson (trombone); Joao Donato (piano); Jota Moraes (vibraphone, marimba); Alberto Continentino (acoustic bass); Stephane San Juan (drums, agogo, claves, shaker, percussion); Sly Dunbar (drums); Don Chacal (cuica, percussion); Armando Marçal (percussion); Berna Ceppas (background vocals).

  1. Vermelho
  2. Fugiu Com A Novela
  3. Bau
  4. Boa Sorte / Good Luck
  5. Amado
  6. Pirraca
  7. Voce Vai Me Destruir
  8. Absurdo
  9. Quem Ira Nos Proteger
  10. Ilegais
  11. Quando Um Homem Tem Uma Mangueira No Quintal
  12. Meu Deus
  13. Minha Heranca: Uma Flor

Link: Uploading.com – Crocko

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Friday, April 6th, 2012 Music No Comments

Helen Merrill – Parola e musica – 1960

Helen Merrill will be turn eighty this year while this album – her masterpiece – is now fifty years old.

It was recorded in Italy, after she relocated there in early 1960. An unusual feature of the LP is the addition of spoken word lyrics which precede each song. Fernando Caiati does the honours with some rudimentary instrumentation in the background. This gives the album an atmospheric edge, the torch songs and ballads perfectly complimented by the eloquent Italian language lyrics.

The songs, many of them standards, are elevated to classic status by Merrill’s flawless and emotional renditions. Autumn In New York is sublime, melancholy yet hopeful. Everything Happens To Me, a humourous homage to Sod’s Law is almost devasting in its delivery. You Don’t What Love Is, Solitude and Weep Willow For Me are brooding, smoky epics with perfect phrasing and sublime high notes.

After the faux-upbeat desperation of I’ve Got Under My Skin and These Foolish Things, the LP twists and turns into the final act with Caiati’s words increasinly reeking of foreboding and regret (despite me not understanding a word of Italian). We finally slip into the mournful and desolate When Your Lover Has Gone.

What lonely hours, the evening shadows bring
What lonely hours, with memories lingering
Like faded flowers, life can’t mean anything
When your lover has gone

What a way to finish a most memorable album.

Nothing can beat the romance of this album! ‘Parole e Musica’: ‘Words and Music’ was recorded while Merril was living in Italy. Each performance is preceded by a spoken translation of the lyrics in Italien, backed by a solo musician in the style af a street busker. If it sounds cheesy, then don’t expect me to defend it: it is! But I have never heard Merril sound so good. Her voice has a fragile strength which renders ballads heart-stopping, and tickles the humour out of the more optimistic numbers.

  1. Night and Day
  2. Everything happens to me
  3. Autmn in New York
  4. Why don’t you do it right
  5. You don’t know what love is
  6. These foolish things
  7. April in Paris
  8. I’ve got you under my skin
  9. Solitude
  10. Willow weep for me
  11. When your lover had gone

On Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 8

  • Gino Marinacci – Flute
  • Nini Rosso – Trumpet
  • Enzo Grillini – Guitar
  • Berto Pisano – Bass
  • Sergio Conti – Drums
  • Piero Umiliani – Piano, Celesta

On Tracks 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11

  • Nino Culasso – Trumpet
  • Tonino Ferrelli – Bass
  • Ralph Ferraro – Drums
  • Piero Umiliani – Piano, Celesta

http://www.mediafire.com/file/pz9ls082m5czaic

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QVZM7F04

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Sunday, December 5th, 2010 Music No Comments

CéU – CéU (Enhanced) – 2007

ceu
Track list:

  1. Vinheta Quebrante
  2. Lenda
  3. Malemolência
  4. Roda
  5. Rainha
  6. 10 Contados
  7. Vinheta Dorival
  8. Mais Um Lamento
  9. Concrete Jungle
  10. Véu Da Noite
  11. Valsa Pra Biu Roque
  12. Ave Cruz
  13. O Ronco Da Cuíca
  14. Bobagem
  15. Samba Na Sola
  16. Malemolencia – Instituto Remix

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Friday, February 27th, 2009 Music 1 Comment