Customer Reviews

Samba Meu

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Five HUGE Stars!! Wonderful performances by Maria Rita (Mariano), Brazil's brilliant, multi-Grammy-winning young diva, on "Samba Meu" (Samba Mine). She generally avoided straight-forward sambas on her award-winning eponymous debut CD, "Maria Rita", and on the "Segundo" CD in order to establish her MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) musical identity. Now on her 3rd CD, she delivers what many have waited for: the CD focused on the samba and it won a Latin Grammy for Best Samba/Pagode Album in 2008. And she delivers many types of sambas from gentle 'samba-canção' to thundering 'samba-school' batucadas in a virtuoso display of this great Brazilian musical form, punctuated throughout by the unique sound of the 'cuica'. The 'Best of the Best' include great performances of "Samba Meu", a blazing song about "Maria do Socorro", a vowel-popping "Casa de Noca" (House of Commotion), the dazzling "Num Corpo Só" (In Only One Body) "Cria" (Son) dedicated to her boy who makes an hilarious appearance, and "Corpictho" ('Fine' Body) where she eerily sounds like her mom, the late great super-diva Elis Regina. "Tá Perdoado" (You're Forgiven) is high on the 'Brazilian Hot 100' charts as of this writing, and the breathtaking "Mente Ao Meu Coracao" (He Lies To My Heart) is further proof that Maria Rita has the full genetic DNA vocal inheritance of her legendary mother and the musical sensibilities of her pianist/arranger father, Cesar Camargo Mariano. A wonderful CD sung entirely in sensual Braziilian-Portuguese that transfers the emotions without need for translation, it's just great samba music. Bravo, Maria Rita !! My Highest Recommendation. Five BLAZING Stars!!!
(This review is based on an iTunes digital download. BTW, "Rita" is pronounced HEE-ta, after her namesake, Brazilian rock queen Rita Lee.)

There has been a lot to love coming out of Brazil in the last few years. Well, for that matter, the last 30 years and more. But recently, Maria Rita stands out for me along with Moreno Veloso (see his dad's record called Ce), Domenico & Kassim. There's a good deal of interesting hip-hop coming out of Brazil, artists here in the states doing their best to alter the course of American jazz and popular music (see Arto Lindsay, Cyro Baptista, Vinicius Cantuaria, others).

I just think this is incredible music, satisfying on so many levels. Rhythmically, melodically, energy-wise. It's fun music that's not dull. It's challenging. And it feels so good. Pick it up. You won't regret it. Her first album is still my favorite. There are a few choices made in production on the last two that wouldn't be my top choices, but the music recovers in the end. Totally worthwhile stuff. Thank you, Maria.

Whether you know or not Maria Rita , You will love this cd.
So far, I have all the 3 cds and 2 dvd of Maria Rita,This one is as good as the other, but a quite joiness bea=cause is about samba. Even is the are 2 includes two melaconlic themes , "saudade di samba" is music to make you feel happy. I just waiting for the dvd of this last production so wach her performance .
Enjoy it!!
Mirna

I haven't been as enamoured of Maria Rita as many other fans of Brazilian music... Until now, that is. This elegant, joyous set of samba tunes is delightful and easy on the ears -- fans of older samba stars such as Martinho Da Vila or Clara Nunes should enjoy this album as well. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Brazilian Music Guide)

Maria Rita did a great selection of sambas to use her beautiful voice. I have all their CDs, this is better than Segundo but I prefer Maria Rita.

As this CD is just sambas, it is a must have!

Perhaps not quite as good as Segundo, but this CD of Samba has songs that are distinctly Maria Rita, there are sounds of Jobim and Ellis. Great Album

Maria has a fantastic voice!

My ear: I don't speak Portuguese, but I can decipher a few phrases from my knowledge of Spanish. I enjoy salsa, mambo, caberet, latin jazz, big band, latino rock, funk, brazilian reggae and ballads. If you like any of these, you will be sure to delight in Maria Rita.

*Highlight* Her voice: I've fallen in love with Maria Rita's voice. It is so smooth and sweet! When the song picks up the beat, her voice fits right in. Some singers are only good with ballads, and others only fast rhythm music. Maria can do both effortlessly.

The Music: This album is eclectic. Some songs are slow, steady. Others are fast paced and coerce you to dance. I really enjoy the varied pace of the songs. I can listen to the entire CD on repeat and I'm not overwhelmed cuz it is so varied.

The Verdict: My favorite album in years. Hands down. Maria Rita catapulted herself to one of my favorite artists. She makes me want to understand Brazilian Portuguese, and experience her in concert.

When you grow up enjoying this type of music, its impossible to not move or not feel happy when hearing this.Maria Rita is inspiring and sings and swings this music as it's supposed to. Her voice fits this genre perfectly. It has not left my cd player since I got it and is the most welcome, natural pick-me-upper. Love it!

Fantastic voice and fantastic CD.
To me, one of the best brasilian female singers. Her music and songs give a real test of Brasil and brasilian soud

this album is so perfectly and thoughtfully put together. the musicianship is fantastic by a seemingly large cast. she sings like an angel that's a given. she seems focussed on making the perfect record here. her vocals are flawless. the quality of these tunes must be cherished by her brazilian fans. i'm just a whiteboy who's finally letting great music like this in. a happier person lettin in happier tunes. this album will make you smile from ear to ear. a celebration of life by great talent.