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Review
and interview by Cristina Dio
The re-invention of bossa nova continues to swell into a new wave
that embraces not only its own traditions with a fearless conviction
but also plants a foot firmly into the future. Brazilian musicians,
composers, producers and Djs are working side by side in a movement
that fuses every aspect of music as much as Brazil itself has
embraced the many cultures that make up its community.
The latest release in this wave is the gorgeous “Uma Batida
Diferente” (A Different Mix) by Bossacucanova, a trio consisting
of DJ Dalua (turntables & programming), Alexandre Moreira
(keyboards & programming) and Marcio Menescal (bass, vocals
& programming).
This is Bossacucanova's third and most accomplished album and
in these new musical adventures, the group successfully pursue
the mission they had started with "Revisited Classics"
(1998) and "Brasilidade" (2001): updating the classic
samba and bossa nova sound. On this release voices, beats, cellos,
acoustic guitars and samples co-exist seamlessly in perfect harmony.
Like a balmy breeze on a summer evening, “Uma Batida Diferente”
lifts the spirits, unravelling from a bossa core into a dreamy
soundscape of beats, cool jazz and funky samba that builds steam
with delicious diva vocals. This release is as much at home on
the dance floor as on a Sunday afternoon sunset cocktails session.
That is the beauty of Brazilian music – as ever before it
is one of the most accessible sounds on the planet.
Cristina Dio had a chance to interview Marcio Menescal
who provides bass, vocals and programming on the release.
Cristina: There is so much of this beautiful fusion of sounds
coming from Brazil - the nation is really embracing the future.
How would you describe this new genre/movement? What would you
call it?
Marcio: Brazilian music is one of the best of
the world to make fusion. Its has flavor, energy, class, swing
and quality of melodies and harmonies, therefore I find that it
was the Brazilian DJ brought the modernity and he helped to open
our mind for this movement that each more time comes conquering
the young. I call this of "music with new mind", or
"bossa with new mind" or "Bossacuca(mind)nova(new)".
Cristina:
It is new music steeped in tradition - in this case bossa nova.
Why is Brazilian traditional music (samba/bossa nova etc) so adaptable
to modern sounds (eg: beats)?
Marcio: The electromusic has weight, precision
and definition and the traditional Brazilian music is warm, has
charm and swing, this mix is perfect. After many experiences made
with different rhythms we saw (BCN) that the samba, bossa, maracatu,
the baião... combine perfectly with drum'n'bass, house,
hiphop, dub and others. I love the mix between vintage and modern
sounds.
Cristina: There are many Brazilian purists living outside
Brazil who are not very keen on the idea of the fusion of bossa
nova with beats or electronic/pop music. What is the feeling inside
Brazil? Do the locals get into it there? Or is this for exportation?
Marcio: Bossacucanova already made many shows
in Europe, Japan and the USA and many Brazilians had been and
loved it, for hearing known musics in a more vibrant and different
form. We had a few bad critics of our work, much for the concern
that we have in not modifying the harmony and melody of the compositions.
Also, I love to hear the original versions with "Uma Batida
Diferente". Nowadays Brasil has a very great scene of electro
music ... big raves, festivals and shows. I find that we don't
make music to be exportation.
Cristina:
What is the most popular music in Brazil today? And how does it
differ between north and south? Let's say Rio and Salvador...
Marcio: Unhappily it is the mix between the American
MPB, funk coming from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, pagode, the
Bahia music and finally the good Brazilian music made still for
a few. For being a very big country, in each region it has a rhythmic
and musical style influenced by its culture, as in Salvador the
people just hear the Bahia music in the summer.
Cristina: It was probably Bebel Gilberto who made the crossover
for the world between bossa and beats - or has it been going on
for a long time in Brazil and the rest of the world is only now
catching up?
Marcio: Without having the pretension I find
that the BCN started to mix bossa with beat in the end of nineties
and later Bebel consecrated it.
Cristina: How do you see this music progressing in the near
future?
Marcio: Each more organic and better assimilated
by more people in the world. This style of Brazilian music each
more time is reference to the music, fashion world, cinema and
publicity.
Cristina: How do you see this notion of the DJ moving into
the recording arena?
Marcio:The DJ knows to make the peoples happy,
that it knows the reaction of the people with each type of rhythm,
arrangement and bpm and it hears and searches much music. It is
each time more requested in all the artistic world. Imagine mixing
in a recording: a DJ, a musician and sound engineer, do you not
think is perfect? this is Bossacucanova.
"Uma
Batida Diferente" is distributed in Australia by Creative
Vibes.
