Sol Na Cara

Vinicius Cantuaria | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1997)
• Original Release Date: July 1, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gramavision
• ASIN: B00000322T
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,100 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sem Pisar No Chao

2. Rio Negro

3. Samba De Estrela

4. Ludo Real

5. Sutis Diferencas

6. Este Seu Olhar

7. Sol Na Cara

8. O Nome Dela

9. Corre Campo

10. O Grande Lance E Fazer Romance

11. O Vento

12. Labrea

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A Brazilian expatriate living in Brooklyn, former rock star and hit songwriter Vinicius Cantuária recorded six records in his native land prior to teaming up with producer Arto Lindsay and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto for his first American album. Cantuária always claims that moving to New York actually made him become more Brazilian. Indeed, the deep and understated Sol na Cara ("The Sun on Your Face") consists mostly of subtle bossa nova melodies (often cowritten with Caetano Veloso, Sakamoto, and others) set to the undulating folk rhythms of northern Brazil. While Cantuária's lyrics, soft voice, and nylon-stringed acoustic-guitar playing signify unabashed romanticism (even when he's singing about his favorite soccer players), Sakamoto's atmospheric keyboards lend an air of almost otherworldly cosmopolitanism to a 1996 album that seems to have aged like a fine wine. --Richard Gehr

From the Label

The bossa nova as it survives in the songs of Vinicius Cantuária isn’t some easy-listening holdover from your parents’ patio party. Combining the quintessentially Brazilian qualities of light, suppleness, and sinewy rhythm, girded by a melancholic throb, Sol Na Cara (GCD 79518) is a vital reminder of the things that make us laud the musical genius of Brazil. Stretching beyond the bossa’s cool jazz foundations in the work of Stan Getz to the more contemporary sonic world of (co-producer) Arto Lindsay, Cantuaria’s music is post-bossa -- sharing a fullness and sensuality with the classic form, but with a restive, experimental bent.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars His Best Release, August 14, 2002

By 

bordersj2 (Boston) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sol Na Cara (Audio CD)

I agree with the reviewer that said that this is Vinicius Cantuaria's best US release. I first really got into him with the Brasil 2Mil compilation piece (first track here) and it was togetherness ever since. I first picked up his latest realease, Vinicius, followed by Tocuma, and oddly, I found the quality better as I went back in time to his earlier releases until I picked this one up.

His sound is very dark and soulful, this is an acoustic album. His style tends to use sound effects in the background, but there is a charm to his style that makes him very easy to listen to. A smooth voice and a nice message. He is a poet. This particular release has the translations in the cover sheet which also is a nice touch to those that cannot speak portuguese. Good touch IMO.

I'd pick this one up - definitely before the later two. And if you like this, pick up some of Joao Gilberto's acoustic releases - namely Voz e Viola.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is brazilian music at its best., July 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sol Na Cara (Audio CD)

This is a complete treat to the ear, from the first to the last song--one of those rare CD's that you can buy not just for one or two songs. Some of the tracks are co-authored with Caetano Veloso and they are excellent samples of good bossa-nova. Cantuaria also introduced some popular themes that are delightful. The CD booklet includes translations that make English listeners to enjoy--though limited as it can be through a translation--the poetry of the original lyrics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, happy, charming, wistful, modern, November 30, 2001

By 

S. Davies "gotpinkspots" (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sol Na Cara (Audio CD)

Like Joao Gilberto's or Antonio Carlos Jobim's godchild, Vinicius wooes us with neo-Bossa Nova sounds: sweet and sublime and so joyful and wistful.

His later material (Tucuma, for example) is more "neo", but these songs reflects the older bossa nova sweet cadence.

I especially liked Samba da Estrela, but all are great.