Customer Reviews

Alumbramento & Cara De Indio

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Djavan is one of the strong talents in Brazilian music. This compilation includes songs from his first two albums. Highlights include "Samba Dobrado", "Serrado" and the beautiful "Agua". His voice is unique and the melodies display creativity.

Djavan's music might very well be the most moving you and I will ever hear in a lifetime. I don't speak or even slightly comprehend Portugese, yet in a way that is what evokes even more emotion within me when listening. It's not about the words, for the meaning is found in how the music moves me. "Agua" is a beautiful track, one of the reasons I first decided to purchase this beautiful gem just recently. But as the other reviewer stated, "Lambada de Serpente" and "Estoria de Cantador" are of equal caliber. These 3 songs are worth the price of the cd alone. This is music that will take you outside of yourself for a bit, and though it's available universally for all it will become at once intimately personal for anyone who cares to listen. I cannot recommend this album enough, every music lover should have this one in their library.

This CD contains Djavan's second and third albums on one CD--and it's not to be missed. From samba grooves to jazzy progressions, Djavan's song--and definitely their inherent arrangements--are top-notch. There are many fine songs on this, my favorites being "Água", "A Rosa" (with Chico Buarque), "Lambada de Serpente", "Estoria de Cantador" and "Alagoas", to name only a few.

A 1992 Capitol/World Pacific compilation of two albums from 1978 and 1980, when Djavan was establishing his songwriting and singing career, this CD offers, besides the music itself, titles, collaborating composer, track timing, and one-line synopsis of each song. That is it. No information about musicians and the usual production credits. Those interested can dig this missing information from internet sources. Meanwhile, the music of the young pop and samba vocalist will suffice. And how it satisfies! We can imagine when 30 years ago these albums first appeared. Here was a new singer, a soulful voice, to capture youth and adult alike. With his own sound and distinct compositions, Djavan already was open to American and European pop and rock influences while firmly rooted in Brazilian traditions. The music remarkably is not dated. There is no era-stamp on it. The tracks vary in tempo and arrangements, maintaining interest throughout with songs of celebration, songs of sadness and regret, dances and ballads. The second album is somewhat stronger, as can be expected, but Alumbramento is still very good. I much enjoy these timeless classics, so filled with emotion.