Landmark album of classic Brazilian songs
D. Thompson | 07/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is the original Brazilian release of Marcos Sacramento's first solo CD, 'A Modernidade da Tradição' (1994). It provides an excellent example of Sacramento's singing style: a beautiful tenor voice coupled with crystal-clear delivery that exposes the best in the music while avoiding any hint of mannerism or affectation. Backed up by the innovative accompaniment of guitarist/arranger Maurício Carrilho and crack percussionist Marcos Suzano, Sacramento reveals hitherto unexplored facets of classic and lesser-known songs composed by the cream of Brazil's songwriters and dating from six rich decades of Brazilian music. 'A Modernidade da Tradição' regales us with beautifully juxtaposed examples of prime malandro (rogue) songs like "A Volta do Malandro" and "Largo da Lapa." The malandro motif is blended with that of unrequited love in the masterpieces "Pela Décima Vez" and "Fez Bobagem." Lost love is given further expression in "Mulher Sem Alma," "Olhar Brasileiro," "Infidelidade," and "Lábios Que Beijei" -- the latter one of the legendary radio-era singer Orlando Silva's greatest hits, here offered a fresh lease on life. Budding love is celebrated in "Morena," while Brazil's mixed heritage is honored in "Vela no Breu" and in "Canto das Três Raças," where Sacramento proves that it's possible to go beyond Clara Nunes' famous interpretation. As always, there are references to samba and to singing, as in "Dos Prazeres das Canções," "Genipapo Absoluto," and "Apoteose do Samba."Musicians: Marcos Sacramento (voice); Maurício Carrilho (guitar); Marcos Suzano (percussion) Musical direction & arrangements: Maurício Carrilho Tracks: 1. A Volta do Malandro (Chico Buarque)/Largo da Lapa (Wilson Batista/Marino Pinto); 2. Pela Décima Vez (Noel Rosa)/Fez Bobagem (Assis Valente); 3. Mulher Sem Alma (Nélson Cavaquinho/Guilherme de Brito); 4. Morena (Maurício Carrilho/Paulo César Pinheiro); 5. Olhar Brasileiro (Eduardo Dusek/Luís Carlos Góes); 6. Canto das Três Raças (Mauro Duarte/Paulo César Pinheiro); 7. Lábios Que Beijei (J. Cascata/Leonel Azevedo); 8. Vela no Breu (Paulinho da Viola/Sérgio Natureza); 9. Dos Prazeres das Canções (Pericles Cavalcante)/Genipapo Absoluto (Caetano Veloso); 10. Infidelidade (Ataulfo Alves); 11. Apoteose do Samba (Mano Décio da Viola/Silas de Oliveira)"
