Search - Fernanda Porto :: Fernanda Porto

Samba for the drum 'n' bass generation

David McLoughlin | @work | 05/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Trama recording artist Fernanda Porto is a singer, composer, programmer and multi-instrumentalist; a classically trained pianist who plays drums, saxophone, and guitar, and sings opera as well. In 2003 the São Paulo-born Porto was honored with a Latin Grammy nomination in the category of Best New Artist, the only Brazilian and the only independent label recording artist on the short list of nominees.
After 10 or so years on the road, this musical dynamo has finally found the time to release her self-titled debut CD, a bold juxtaposition of drum 'n' bass with bossa nova and samba, which has already achieved gold status in Brazil. It only makes sense that the visionary São Paulo record label Trama -- home to some of Brazil's most original new talents - should release this extraordinary debut.
Porto composed all but one of the songs on the CD; she also did her own programming and played all of the instruments. She shared lyric-writing duties with renowned Brazilian lyricists and poets such as Paulo Leminsky, Arnaldo Antunes, Ledusha, Edu Ruia, Lina de Albuquerque and Martha Medeiros.
The Jobim bossa nova classic Só Tinha que Ser Com Você, the only cover on the album, takes an exciting new turn with Porto's reinterpretation, a winning collaboration with the great Brazilian DJ Patife.
Baque Virado, written with Alba Carvalho, is one of the album's highlights. The track gives a modern spin to the energy and playfulness of one of northeastern Brazil's most famous musical styles, maracatu. Throughout the disc, Porto ably creates a successful fusion between both sophisticated electronic club beats and diverse traditional Brazilian rhythms. Another benchmark track is Tudo De Bom, a composition inspired by the sentimental heart of Brazil, Rio de Janiero.
Although this is her debut album, Porto displays more musical maturity and innovation than many artists on their second or third releases. With her self-titled release, the soft-spoken Paulistana is clearly positioned at the forefront of a powerful new wave in Brazilian music."

ElectroBossa

John W. Warren | Santa Monica, CA USA | 11/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I highly recommend this disc if you like Brazilian music and/or electronica, such as Bebel Gilberto's remixes album. I bought this disc "sight unheard" without knowing what to expect. Her style is a great mix of bossa nova flavored with light electronica, drum 'n bossa, if you like. I think what surprises me the most, besides the consistent quality of the CD, is the fact the Fernando Porto not only wrote all the tracks but one, but plays all the instruments and did her own programming. This is one super bossa woman. Highlights include "Electricidade," "Baque Virado," and "Amor Errado." Also recommended: DJ Patiffe's remixes of Fernanda Porto. And if you like Fernando Porto, check out another new Brazilian "drum 'n bossa" artist, Mylene, who is also well worth a listen."

Fernanda Porto is brilliant

azpoolbum | Phoenix AZ | 10/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like latin and Brazilian music, then you will love this album. The album generally sounds like bossa, but with a an electronic twist. It is good as background music, and there is a lot to listen to if you want to concentrate on it. It's definately not an album that you will listen to a couple of times and then forget about. If you like bossa nova and are looking something new to add to your collection, Fernanda Porto's debut album is a must buy."