Customer Reviews

Escape

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ahhh...just in time for summer comes the followup to Marcos Valle's stellar comeback release of a couple of years ago. This CD finds the perfect meeting point between Marcos Valle's early-60s bossa nova roots and the brave new world of technology-sponsored musical ideas. Although Marcos is generally thought of as a "bossa nova" artist, and he did make many important contributions to the genre early on in his lengthy career, his vision goes far beyond that, as demonstrated by his brilliant adventures in the realms of pop, jazz and R&B over the years (some of his late 60s-early 70s work resembles a mutant combination of Jobim, Bacharach and David Axelrod!). This album is at once energetic and relaxing, and should prove satisfying to listeners of different generations. Recommended both to older fans of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sergio Mendes and Joćo and/or Astrud Gilberto as well as younger fans of Bebel Gilberto, Suba, Thievery Corporation, Stereolab and the like. It's also way better than Caetano Veloso's new record (which actually isn't wretched, it's just far from Caetano at his best). Enjoy "Escape," take it with you when you go on vacation, and do whatever you must to get your hands on the two volumes of Mr. Bongo's "Essential Marcos Valle." You won't be sorry!

The first time I heard Escape was on Radio Monte-Carlo in Milan. This was the music I've been looking for during a long time. The whole CD is wonderful. You'll fall in love with this mellow, smooth, silky Brazilian music. I'm a great fan of Tom Jobim, Elis Regina, Joao Gilberto etc, so this choice suits my collection very well. Marcos Valle brings hapinness and joy with his music!

Marcos has always been one of the most important names in Brazilian Music History (at least since "Samba 68"), and this CD (Escape) is that continuation to perfection.
This recording shows Marcos' maturity in every sense of the word; guitarist, pianist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter, arranger (I think only Tom Jobim had that versatility); every song is a hit especially "On Line" and "O Indio E O Brasil".
I could only compare this CD To Gilberto Gil's Quantum CD in taste, varity and as a master piece.
If you are looking for the perfect Brazilian Superb CD; this is probably it.
Check it out; you'll be glad you did.

I was taken by suprise by this album by Marcos Valle, one of the most significant song writers in Brazilian music. I found it curious it was released on the UK Brazilcentric indie lable Far Out Recordings that's also been releasing new recordings from Joyce. This album is rich in melody and arrangement. Key tracks are the intro title track 'Escape' and also 'On Line'. Over all this is one album that just flows and Marcos is in top form. I easily have this CD on rotate and it's one you just want to hear again after a single listen. It's become one of my favourite albums. I'm looking forward to hearing his latest 2003 release also on Far Out 'Contrasts'. Serious Marcos Valle fans may want to hear MPB crooner Emílio Santiago's 2000 Sony Epic release 'Bossa Nova'. He performs a sublime new composition by Valle called 'Doce Viver'. The accompanying DVD is a live Epic promotional performance (in front of an audience of Santiago's friends - noted celebraties and the cream of Rio society) at the Copacobana Balace. The performance features Valle performing 'Doce Viver'. However, back to 'Escape' - it's a CD that won't disappoint and only further substantiates Valle's contribution to Brazilian song.

My first experience of Marcos Valle's music has been an absolute pleasure.
Wonderful arrangements, sensual and accurate vocal style and infectious rhythm make this a must have for fans of Mr Valle and all lovers of Brazillian music.
Although the CD has been around since 2001, it still sounds fresh and immediate.
I play it all the time.

Marcos Valle strikes again. Mr. Valle is the only artist I am aware of who has produced a great album in the 1960s and 2000s. He defies the laws of aging and music as most artists seem to produce their best work in their 20s in particular. This music is less pop orientated than his 1960s and 1970s work. It is a more mature work. It is one of those albums that seems to get better the more you listen to it. Good background music while working on the computer or drinking some wine with that special someone. One of the top 5 CDs I have purchased released this decade. I suspect I will be listening to this at least once a month 10 years from now.

For those who like this, Nova Bossa Nova is similiar in concept and quality.

This CD is by one of Brazil's most enduring, and most underrated, musicians. Marcos Valle has produced much fine music in the 40+ years of his career, and this CD shows that he continues to do so. The opener is one of my favorites, a killer jazz-samba groove with wordless vocals by Marcos and a driving, almost hypnotic rhythm, with a great piano solo by Marcos. The second song, "Maria Mariana", skilfully calls to mind the textures of the sea that the lyric references. "O Indio E o Brasil" describes the plight of the indigenous peoples of Brazil, and is very affecting. Marcos has several interesting instrumentals; one of them, "Poweride", emphasizes mainly texture, with his use of melodica, wordless vocals, and a slithery synth bass line over a soft drum loop. Tracks such as this show that Valle has been able to successfully adapt to new developments in music and integrate them into his sound. One particularly fun number is "Apaixionada Por Voce", which features his backing vocalist Patricia Alvi on lead vocals. It has a driving samba rhythm and a fiery mandolin solo. There is another song that is a departure for Valle, "Festeira", which features mostly percussion and a minimal chord progression, but the song has a great baiao-samba groove and some cool timbale work that Latin jazz fans would like. This CD has the familiar elements of Valle's sound - bossa nova, samba, jazz - but integrates newer influences and shows that Valle continues to produce inspired and accessible music.

Marcos has always been one of the most important names in Brazilian Music History (at least since "Samba 68"), and this CD (Escape) is that continuation to perfection.
This recording shows Marcos' maturity in every sense of the word; guitarist, pianist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter, arranger (I think only Tom Jobim had that versatility); every song is a hit especially "On Line" and "O Indio E O Brasil".
I could only compare this CD To Gilberto Gil's Quantum CD in taste, varity and as a master piece.
If you are looking for the perfect Brazilian Superb CD; this is probably it.
Check it out; you'll be glad you did

The first time I heard Marcos Valle was on Radio Monte-Carlo in Milan. Finally I found what I've been looking for when it comes to Brazilian smooth popmusic. I was happy to get this CD from Amazon.com. All the 10 songs are wonderful. So mellow, tender, silky. If you're addicted to Brazilian music, like Tom Jobim, Joao Gilberto etc, you'll love this one. This one brings joy!