Customer Reviews

Omelete Man

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great CD on its own merits. Although not the classic that "Alfagamabetizado" was, it's also not the same beast. This time, Carlinhos used more orchestration, pop sensibilities and less tribal percussion. Overall, I'd have to say the production was much nicer on "Alfa", but this CD has many bright spots. As far as the polyglot references, I'd have to say Caetano, Gil and Tom Zé have also been guilty of this, although not to the oddball extreme of Carlinhos. Despite his strange word-wranglings, Carlinhos is a strong lyricist with inventive, off-the-beaten-path ideas.

I was a little disappointed in this work, which is pleasant to listen to but nowhere near as interesting as his remarkable solo debut, Alfagambetizado. That album is highly recommended. There is also background material about Brown and the whole Bahian music scene in the book "The Brazilian Sound," of great use in understanding this music.

This new album by Brown drops some of the needless Ur-speak lingual complexity of ALFAGAMABETIZADO, as well as the massed drums of that album, in favor of an approach that seems more pop on the surface. Some Chic-styled funk, uptempo reggae accented by Bernie Worrell's keyboards, lush orchestrations reminiscent of Nelson Riddle's work with Sinatra, Carnaval-meets-Sepultura, various older Brazilian traditions...If nothing else, the disc is a marvel of continuity despite its eclectic nature. Brown's lyrics should have been translated to English (ditto for the last album)because, despite his occasional polyglot excesses, he is a strong, original writer, capable of dipping into Greek mythology, the wide basin of Brazilian idiomatic speech, and the onomatopeic possibilites of mixing English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. U.S. critics should by all means be more aware of this when they pan his albums.

1. Great second solo album from Carlinhos Brown.
2. Produced by Marisa Monte. She is all over this album, doing vocals, etc.
3. A batch of great new music from Carlinhos.
4. Carlinhos + Marisa = Um Omelete Optima!!!
5. Get Some!!!

This album is "less brazilian" than it's predecesor but it's cool. I recommend it.

I have a lot of respect for what Carlihos Brown has done in his career and for Brazilian music, from the grass roots carnaval organizing he has done to helping street kids find jobs as musicians in Brazil. He also invented the "timbau" and helped create the new Northeastern sound. His songs, covered by Caetano, Sergio Mendes and Marisa Monte are state of the art pop songs, worthy of the best recognition any Brazilian artist could hope for. His first solo release, Alfabetagamatizado, featured many strong cuts and seemed to point to a new direction for Brazilian pop. However, his new release sort of disappointed me. I have listened to it probably about 4 times, and though with each listen it gets better, I think it doesn't hold up to his previous songwriting (covered by Marisa--especially on her last CD--A great Noise). The album seems to be all about gimmicks and production and less about music and songwriting, though the first two songs are very strong and groovy cuts. So is Water My Girl. The whole "polyglot nonsense" words in English, French and Portuguese is interesting on paper, but it can become annoying after a while. The words don't make any sense, as far as I can see --and I know a little Portuguese. The lyrics aspect is a little frustrating. By the end of the album, with the military band cut, I was thinking that he was trying to pack too much into one album. However, I will still continue to get into the 3 or 4 tracks I did enjoy from the album and its unique weirdness. Recommended for die-hard fans; people just getting into Brazilian music should stick with Alfabetgamatizado and that Marisa Monte album, in my opinion.

Listening this record was for me a great experience. As a lover of the modern brasilian popular music I conclude that the imagination is the only limit for creation and Carlinhos Brown has no limits on this matter... This album is extremely ecletic and this is the reason why I enjoy it so much; it has been a permanent discovery for me. On the first listening it sounded strange; on second it was good; now, it's my daily album. Now I'm going to buy alfagamabetizado to discover the excelence of this great musician. About the lirics... well, in first I appreciate intelligence...

Carlinhos Brown is a musical genius, inventive, innovative, capturing the imagination and stirring the soul. My love affair with him continues and I look forward to hearing more of this remarkable musician. Buy it, you'll like it.

Still impressive and way ahead of most North American similar output in terms of originality and freshness,Brown's follow up to 1997's stellar'Alfagamabetizado'is a pleasant,eclectic,and intelligent collection of Brazilian and world music,yet somehow lacking the spark and the urgency of his fabulous debut.

While certainly not the groundbreaking, epoch-shattering event that "alpha..." was, this is still a fine album that like most great records rewards repeated listenings. Carlinhos is an ubelievably charismatic performer, so if you ever get the chance, check him out!