Customer Reviews

Brazil Precisa Balancar

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

 

 

I got into Rosalia De Souza's voice without really knowing it - when I was listening to Les Hommes and Quintetto X; both artists on Schema's label along with Rosalia. But I really got hooked after she featured on Break & Bossa vol 5, where she opened up a continuous bossa mix with back to back tracks - the classic Canta De Ossanha and then the unique track "Zig-Zag" (it's on her album but without lyrics). Some months afterwards, her debut album was released and it was stunning. Now in 2006, Rosalia's back with her second album. But this time she has the help and production work of the terrifically talented Roberto Menescal instead of the very impressive Nicola Conte.

This is a very good album, although I must warn from the start that the vibe is FAR different from "Garota Moderna". This was recorded in Rio De Janeiro and again, with the expertise of Roberto Menescal. It has a completely different ambiance. From the first song on, I was actually reminded a bit of her work with Quintetto X but with a bit of a 'spark' to it. "Onde Anda O Meu Amor", a classic Orlandivo cut was a pretty classy intro, very smooth. Voz da Lapa is another nice track highlighting Rosalia's voice but with the help from labelmate Toco on vocals. "Que Bandeira" (that flag) features Marcos Valle in a guest role, hmm... nice but not the highlight of the album to me. "Ao Amigo Tom" is a nice tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim (Tom), nicely laid over a play of one of his classic ballads to close. Other standouts on this to me were "Agarradinho"... what a song. "Nem Que Seja a Nado" was also nice, "Rio De Janeiro" had that sweet Carioca feel to it, "Vivo Sonhando" is a Jobim track that Rosalia does a fantastic job of covering and the album closes wonderfully with "O Que e Amar"... beautiful song with great a romantic guitar.

I certainly recommend this. The album was well put together, is rather deep and sung with care and the musicianship is simple... yet not so simple. To be honest this reminded me quite a bit of Joyce's more recent works on Far Out records but... recorded in Rio. The album is certainly a tribute to Brasil, Bossa Nova and Samba and Toco, Roberto Menescal and of course Rosalia De Souza were outstanding and put togehtre some beautiful songs. I listened to this from beginning to end, but must again warn that if you're looking for a more bossa album or a sound like in "Garota Moderna", you'll be disappointed. If you do like this, definitely check out Joyce's "A Little Bit Crazy" and you'll probably like work by Maria Rita, Rosa Passos and Luciana Souza.

As far as format - I'm unsure if it will have a domestic (USA) release. But it will have a Schema release (this one), which means it'll be available without the two *bonus* tracks on the import from Japan. There will also be an LP version of this however it will not have "Agarradinho" or "O Que e Amar". Also please note that if you do get the Japan import version instead of the Schema import, the linear notes and information is in kanji.

The sound from this CD is more of a 'traditional jazz' feel rather than the usual bossa nova stuff that is coming out of Brazil these days, more upbeat and played at a slightly quicker pace. I get an almost Diana Krall meets (early) George Benson feel to this (cant be a bad thing) Still maintains that silky Brazilian sound though.

I got into Rosalia De Souza's voice without really knowing it - when I was listening to Les Hommes and Quintetto X; both artists on Schema's label along with Rosalia. But I really got hooked after she featured on Break & Bossa vol 5, where she opened up a continuous bossa mix with back to back tracks - the classic Canta De Ossanha and then the unique track "Zig-Zag" (it's on her album but without lyrics). Some months afterwards, her debut album was released and it was stunning. Now in 2006, Rosalia's back with her second album. But this time she has the help and production work of the terrifically talented Roberto Menescal instead of the very impressive Nicola Conte.

This is a very good album, although I must warn from the start that the vibe is FAR different from "Garota Moderna". This was recorded in Rio De Janeiro and again, with the expertise of Roberto Menescal. It has a completely different ambiance. From the first song on, I was actually reminded a bit of her work with Quintetto X but with a bit of a 'spark' to it. "Onde Anda O Meu Amor", a classic Orlandivo cut was a pretty classy intro, very smooth. Voz da Lapa is another nice track highlighting Rosalia's voice but with the help from labelmate Toco on vocals. "Que Bandeira" (that flag) features Marcos Valle in a guest role, hmm... nice but not the highlight of the album to me. "Ao Amigo Tom" is a nice tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim (Tom), nicely laid over a play of one of his classic ballads to close. Other standouts on this to me were "Agarradinho"... what a song. "Nem Que Seja a Nado" was also nice, "Rio De Janeiro" had that sweet Carioca feel to it, "Vivo Sonhando" is a Jobim track that Rosalia does a fantastic job of covering and the album closes wonderfully with "O Que e Amar"... beautiful song with great a romantic guitar.

I certainly recommend this. The album was well put together, is rather deep and sung with care and the musicianship is simple... yet not so simple. To be honest this reminded me quite a bit of Joyce's more recent works on Far Out records but... recorded in Rio. The album is certainly a tribute to Brasil, Bossa Nova and Samba and Toco, Roberto Menescal and of course Rosalia De Souza were outstanding and put togehtre some beautiful songs. I listened to this from beginning to end, but must again warn that if you're looking for a more bossa album or a sound like in "Garota Moderna", you'll be disappointed. If you do like this, definitely check out Joyce's "A Little Bit Crazy" and you'll probably like work by Maria Rita, Rosa Passos and Luciana Souza. You absolutely MUST get your hands on Joyce's "Rio - Bahia", an outstanding effort on Far Out Records which she did with Dori Caymmi. Amazingly similar vibe! You might also like Jazzinho's "Atlas", but I heavily emphasis "might" on that one.

As far as format - I'm unsure if it will have a domestic (USA) release. But it will have a Schema release (which might be this one - there's another listing on Amazon for it), which means it'll be available without the two *bonus* tracks on this one. "Adriana" is available on Rosalia's remix album "Garota Diferente" and "Que Bandeira" is probably available on 12". There will also be an LP version of this however it will not have "Agarradinho" or "O Que e Amar". Also please note that if you do get this version, the linear notes and information is in kanji.

I came across this singer by accident while doing a search on YT a while back when searching for some Brazilian music.

That said, this is a well done album. However, I must let the reader know don't buy this expecting the watered-down, lounge bossa nova that's been coming out from American jazz musicians & Brazilian American artists. No, this is Brazilian to the core with strong elements of samba present in some songs & even a touch of Afro-Cuban music in others. From the opening track until the closer, you'll feel like you'll in Brazil. Even the Jobim standard "Vivo Sonhando" which is usually a ballad, is given an upbeat take here. But that doesn't mean that there aren't any ballads present- there are two here; "Agarradinho" & "O Que é Amor." The former is a traditional slow bossa co-pinned by De Souza herself, while the latter has guitar as the sole accompaniment-kind of like romantic guitar as a previous reviewer said. De Souza also does a couple of duet songs here with Marcos Valle & Toco, all which are good to say the least.

This album came out in Italy some 5 years ago & De Souza has since released another album, but after exploring her works, I found this to be her most interesting recording. As I said before, I'll recommend this CD only to those who want the true bossa nova sound. Despite it being an import, this is actually cheater than a lot of the Brazilian imported music I've seen.

Final note: the Digipak that comes with the disc has a booklet, with the lyrics of the songs albeit in Portuguese.

I actually don't know what the guy below meant when he says less sophisticated, yes it's very diferent from garota moderna and i accept i was a little dissapointed when i first listen to it cause i was expecting something more electronic like her first album but once i started to listen carefully i swear, i realized this is probably better than garota moderna, and that's a lot since i considered that one the best modern brazilian music CD, but Brasil precisa balancear is so elegant and exquisite, it can goes from a very slow rythm to a very fast samba in in the same song, melodies are always beautiful, as usual, and if this isn't better than garota moderna it deserves five stars in my opinion anyway!

Les sophisticated than garota moderna but more organic than this. Well produced and arranged (thanks to roberto menescal)and including a handfull of singles.