Customer Reviews

Berimbaum

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

But oh, so nice. The tip-off is when you open up the jewel case & there's all these psychedelic pinwheels flyin' around. She brings the classic Brazilian music of Vinicius De Moraes into the "modern" era quite successfully, I find. Her calm voice is just right for offsetting the jittery electronica rhythms here. And there's still room for implication, one of the cornerstones of Brazilian music. Best example being "Berimbau". Very little actual berimbau on the track, but wonderfully evoked by Paula's voice & the electronic instruments.

I heard her first on the Jobim concert album. This is an exercise in bringing it to you for a wonderful exposure to her timbre. If you like the way bossa nova was done in the 70s and 80s you should like this.

"Berimbaum" was one of my favorite albums of the previous year. This album was much different from Morelenbaum's previous outings like "A Day in New York" album which focused more on classical interpretations of favorite Brazilian standards. On her solo album, she dubbed soft, subtle electronica elements to update some fo the classics. Yes, her album is not as "cutting edge" as some of arrangments that some downtempo artists like the late Suba or Nicola Conte were able to perform on Bebel Gilberto or Rosalia De Souza's album, but the songs were still wonderful.

What makes this album wonderful for me were Morelenbaum's performances. She has a delightful voice and she does a beautiful job on this album. She's good at communicating joy and sorrow in her performances.

The only problem I had with this album was her "Canto De Ossanha." I feel that Morelenbaum's interpretation of this classic wasn't well done. I've heard better updated performances on Daude's album and on Rosalia De Souza's "Garota Moderna" album.

I highly recommend this album. If you're looking for a downtempo version of the classics, however, then this is probably not the album for you. You're better off getting Bebel Gilberto's first album, Suba's "Sao Paolo Confessions," or Rosalia De Souza's "Garota Moderna."

Paula Morelenbaum is known for absolutely authentic, traditional takes on bossa classis, particularly Tom Jobim, with whom she and her husband Jaques, performed.

But here she is taking on the eletro/ bossacucanova/bebel/eletronica thing with rather strong results. My favorite track by far is the little samba well-known from the Black Orpheus soundtrack, Jobim's O Nosso Amor, which is rarely redone compared to other gems from that film. Here its just giddy with guitar by Luiz Brasil, shortened lyrics, and an almost childlike simplicity from the singer.

The other tracks are also a pleasure -- not only because they draw on wonderful, classic compostions but because every arrangement is unique and not much of her husband's cello has been shoehorned into the project (normally his playing is great, but here it's really out of place.)

There are three basic highlights in this album:
1). Vinicius de Moraes' music composed with other masters.
2). The Electronica elements that enhance these Bossa Nova gems are very elegant,very well used, never overused and superb.
and perhaps the most important highlight here is...
3). Paula's angelical voice ! W O W !.

So, putting those three ingredients together, you have an awesome album. Two great guests on this album are: Celso Fonseca on guitars and vocals, and Paula's husband Jacques Morelenbaum on cello.
The stand-out cuts in this album are:
- O Nosso Amor
- Insensatez
and..
- Brigas Nunca Mais.

If you love Bossa Nova/ Brazilian Jazz, and appreciate great vocals; this is for you by-design.

If you don't like the familiar and rich rythmic bossa of the past with a little twist of electronica - then you will really be missing some of the best music out there! After getting "CASA" and then "A Day In New York" I took the next step and bought some Paula on her own. With "Berimbaum" ofcourse I expected the hear Jaques' incredible cello - come on people it is part of what makes the two of them, even without Ryuichi Sakamoto's keyboard, delicious. If you want defiled bossa with a techno edge and clubby 2006 twist look elsewhere. This is good solid music worth telling likeminded friends about. Yes, it's a little different but still so authentic and fresh. Paula's voice is perfect for each song, and right from the top with "Tomara" get ready for a treat. "Primavera" is quite beautiful. Tom Jobim would be proud of not just the Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto collaborations but this CD as well!

This album is completely different from the "chamber jazz" treatment that the Morelenbaums and Ryuichi Sakamoto gave Tom Jobim's work on Casa. I thought Paula's voice was almost angelically lovely on that album, and so took a chance on this one.

All the songs here were written or co-written by Vinicius de Moraes. The comparison to Bebel Gilberto's first big album is natural, but not wholly accurate. Paula's clean pure voice and natural inflections are still here, and you'll find the nylon stringed guitars that almost define the classic bossa nova sound. Add to this loops, beats, synths, and you have samba, bossa nova, with a healthy dash of William Orbit and late-period Everything But The Girl.

Almost everything here is above average. There aren't any real klunkers, though honestly I could do without some of the spoken word intrusions that sound like samples of the ghost of Tom Jobim reciting something I naturally cannot understand as a non-Portugese speaker. Insensatez is weirded up a little more than I would have done it, but I can't say it isn't fresh and original. And on its own terms, it works, even though it isn't my favorite way to hear this classic song.

I guess to sum up, I would say this album was a pleasant surprise, with the emphasis on pleasant. It is tuneful, mostly upbeat, innovative, it doesn't really drag anywhere, and you can tap your toe to it. Highly recommended, unless you're a purist.

I took a chance on purchasing this CD since I have started getting more into Brazilian and lounge music. Usually CD's will have three songs at most that are good and the rest of the CD is mediocre to bad. Every song on this CD is great. Because this CD was so good, I took a chance on buying "Casa" and "A Day in New York," both featuring Paula Morelenbaum on vocals. I am thoroughly satisfied.

i'd agree with other reviewers who compare this with the contemporary work of Bebel Gilberto. it's contemporary electo-bossa and very pleasing to the ear. PM's voice is gorgeous and the arrangements are tasteful and interesting. there's only one 'skip track' to my ears.

also be sure to check out Roberta Sa. her stuff is awesome!

PAULA MORELENBAUM TOOK BOSSA NOVA TO A NEW LEVEL BY USING THE TECHO STYLE, IN STYLE! I ALWAYS LOVED JOAO'S RAW RENDITIONS OF BOSSA NOVA, HE BEING THE CREATOR OF SUCH, BUT PAULA PRESENTED IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS DIFFERENT, REFRESHING AND UNIQUE. PAULA [AND BAND], TOM AND JOAO MUST BE VERY PROUD OF YOU! GOOD JOB!