Customer Reviews

Tanto Tempo

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Bebel Gilberto is a true child of Brazilian music royalty, and she is keeping the dynasty going in excellent style. Daughter of bossa nova genius Joao Gilberto and Miucha--a fine singer in her own right, though less well known in the United States--and niece of the brilliant, unequalled Chico Buarque, she has inherited an absolutely beautiful voice and superb songwriting ability. Her CD succeeds in marrying the traditional rhythms and hypnotic melodies of bossa nova with a fresh, modern sound, thanks to producer Suba, and guests ranging from Amon Tobin to percussionist extraordinaire Carlinhos Brown. Sung in both English and Portuguese, the music ranges from soft and romantic to high-energy samba to delightfully jazzy. For me, a special treat is her wonderful cover of Chico's gorgeous and sexy "Samba e Amor"--but everything's great.

I checked this album out on a whim because I was familiar with her last name and I am mildly acquainted with the work of her father. After listening to the album in its entirety, I was stunned. Bebel has an amazing, soothing voice that floats over the intricate, layered music beautifully. She takes the samba and bossa nova of her father and his contemporaries and adds the subtle touches of trip -hop and groove music, and the result is amazing. The first track is the album's finest, a breezy, seductive little number that I wish was longer. Other standouts are tracks 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10. This is summer music, the aural equivalent of afternoon sunshine and blue skies. The music will sound brilliant coming from your car stereo or if you're listening on headphones. Her voice is really something to be heard, one of the most striking and relaxing I've heard on record, and there are moments when she will absolutely nail you to the wall. I'm definitely very impressed with Ms. Gilberto and I will be listening to this album a great deal in the next few months.

The long awaited "debut" album of Bebel Gilberto doesn't disappoint. Sixdegrees Records has yet another star. Tanto Tempo is amazing, everything you would expect from Bebel Gilberto given her various special appearances (Next Stop Wonderland, Red Hot + Rio) and musical background. This style is similar to the NSW... but arguably better. A few notables include a duet with Nina Miranda of Smoke City (2) along with tracks produced by the late Suba. A smooth, sensual, easy CD perfect for any occasion, fusing acid jazz, bossa nova, samba and R&B. Excellent sound quality, excellent accompaniment, a magnificent voice. Highly recommended CD.

Much-anticipated albums have a way of disappointing their audience once they finally arrive. High expectations give way to a mild or a severe letdown. "Tanto Tempo" is an exception to that general rule. A lot of people were looking forward to this album, but, if anything, we got more than we hoped for. Bebel Gilberto manages to mix samba, bossa, light jazz, and contemporary pop influences gracefully to create a gorgeous album that sounds thoroughly modern, but with enough respect for tradition that it is unlikely to offend the Rio purists.

Every cut is obviously very carefully thought through. She obviously didn't just enter the studio and start playing. The attention to mood and detail is such that each track fully realizes a life of its own, the result being that the more one listens to this CD, the better it gets.

This may well end up being Brazilian music's biggest North American hit since her father, Joao, and Stan Getz topped the charts in the 60's. It also just might become one of those ultimate summer albums that never quite wears out its welcome. A lovely, cool breeze of a CD.

I have resisted buying this CD for some time now as I am a huge old school fan. Who could compare to the original bossa nova of Astrud Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim? Or one of the greatest vocalists both Brazilian and otherwise, Elis Regina--who died tragically young before securing her position as one of the all time greats (Her CD "Personalidade" is a wonderful exposure for the uninitiated listener). Surpirsingly Bebel Gilberto succeeds beautifully on "Tanto Tempo" building on the work of her comtemporaries without merely copying what has been done before. The minimal electronic flurishes work. The best track on this collection is without a doubt #2 "August Day Song" -- it perfectly preserves the genere of bossa nova but adds just enough bells and whistles to make it a song for the year 2001. The vocal arrangement is beautiful and mixes both english and portugese. A nice addition to anyones collection.

With the release of this fine cd, Bebel Gilberto shows that, while she may have inherited some of her legendary father's musical talent, she is definitely an artist with an individuality and direction all her own. She caresses the words to these songs as only Brazilian practitioners of the samba can do, and, with the help of Belgian keyboard wizard and producer Marc Hollander (founding member of the 70s experimental band Aqsaq Maboul), takes the form into new territory, utilizing -- tastefully -- studio technology and electronic rhythms to gently augment and metamorphasize them into her own unique vision.

The tunes on this disc swing and sway just the way you would expect, but with a slight edge -- and the combination of techniques works very well indeed.

Bebel's voice is alternately soft, sexy, playful and wistful as she works her way through this set of tunes, most of which she had a hand in composing. Her voices -- overdubbing used to really nice effects -- swirl around the listener, pulling them into her world. This music, even while being upbeat in places, is overall very relaxing, but never uninteresting -- there's a lot going on here for the discerning listener to appreciate.

If you're looking for a fresh take on Brazilian samba, give this excellent disc a listen -- I don't think you'll be disappointed.

If you're considering shelling out the extra cash for the import and wonder if it's worth it, it is. Included extras are a remix of the standard So Nice (Summer Samba), and two, count 'em, two remixes of Sem Concencao. The import-only Summer Samba is more acoustic, lovely, laid back, guitar and voice. The first of the two extra import-only Sem Concencaos is an electric, almost dance mix - spectacular. The final Sem Cencencao is a similar rhythmic electronic remix, stepped down a bit. These are among the strongest cuts on the album. Worth it for me. Samba that rocks.

I was looking for a really nice bossa nova album, and after I had bought Suba's album, I became even more interested in Brazilian music. I sampled this album online a few weeks ago, and I couldn't wait to run to the store and pick it up. When I got there, this was the last copy, and when I rushed home and popped it in my cd player, the world just slowed down to a gentle pace, and I found myself moving more relaxed and feeling....very sensuous! The most beautiful selection on this album is the title cut, "Tanto Tempo". I have listened to it 5 times in rapid succession (I'm listening now and I'm about to rewind it again!) This is the most dreamy, romantic song I've heard in a long time-it's a shame it's the shortest track on the album-I could listen to it for another 5 minutes! It has a retro, kind of old-fashioned sound to it (especially the beginning)but then it slowly brings you foreward in time...I imagine a person sitting on a beach reminiscing about an encounter many years ago in an elegant Brazilian club...it's the kind of music that inspires you to dream....or just relax. The first track is also another one that conjures up pleasant images...and I HIGHLY reccomend this album as background music for a romantic dinner date at home-it's sensual without being sexual-and it's got enough of a musical mix to not be dull. I'm partial to the Portugese tracks-Bebel's voice just isn't as strong on her English tracks-it seems as if she has a little difficulty singing in English. It's not horrible, but she sounds as if she's trying too hard to make sure her pronunciation is perfect. Bananeira (banana tree) is a fabulous track-it's an upbeat,funky jazzy tune with a catchy title-I found myself walking around the house singing "bananeira, bananeira"! He blend of past, present (and future) Brazilian music styles is phenomenal. Pick this album up if you're ready for an instant vacation.

if you ever heard towa tei's album's then you're familiar with this sweet voice singer,this album is a relaxing trip,it makes you want to sit at night with the lights faded almost out and not care for the world,and just relax,wow.

My god, not to be dramatic, but this cd was sent from Heaven. Not only is Bebel's voice perfectly smooth and transcendant, but Nina Miranda (of Smoke City fame) guests on one of the tracks! What else could you ask for? Hmmm...how about prodcution from Suba, Amon Tobin and Thievery Corporation! Yep you heard me right again. The Amon Tobin and Thievery Corporation tracks are especially gorgeous. This cd blends old bossa nova sounds with contemporary beats and mixes, WITHOUT sounding contrived or tired. That's rare in this overdone "trip-hop-global-lounge" world we all live in...so please do yourself a favor and snatch this puppy up. It is beau-teeeee-fullll....