|
|
|
|
|||
|
Bebel Gilberto - "Brazilian music isn't just 'The girl from Ipanema!"
Bebel Gilberto - self titled (Ziriguiboom/Crammed Discs/Shock Records) In a recent interview, Bebel Gilberto confessed that she was nervous about her second release, after making such an impact with her first international hit Tanto Tempo in 2000. "The problem with any second album is, are people going to like it as much as the first? But while I tried to recapture the magical feeling of Tanto Tempo, I had to move to a more grown up stage." Tanto Tempo was a stylish and sophisticated interpretation of bossa nova that had phenomenal success becoming one of the best selling Brazilian cross-over albums ever. Her new release maintains the subtle acoustic-based elements of the first but it further transcends its traditional bossa nova origins to cross into the dance floor and more contemplative electronic-pop territory, via her sultry breathy vocals... like a fragant cool breeze on a summer's day. Born in New York, Bebel grew up in Rio de Janeiro, raised by her famous parents Joao Gilberto, popularly referred to as "The Legend" in Brazil, and her mother, renowned singer Miucha, as well as her uncle Chico Buaque, one of Brazil's first pop stars. From an early age she sat in on her parent's shows and recording sessions, performing for the first time at age 9, alongside Miucha and Stan Getz at New York's Carnegie Hall. In 1991 she returned to New York to forge her solo career and began collaborations with David Byrne, Thievery Corporation and Deee-Lite's Towa Tei who bought the bossa nova sound to the New York clubs. After years honing her sound, she created Tanto Tempo with the late production genius Suba. "I wanted to show the world that Brazilian music isn't just 'The girl from Ipanema'" she declares. The new album is a series of breathtaking collaborations with such luminaries of Brazilian music as Carlinhos Brown, Os Mutantes, Daniel Jobim and Pedro Baby, Marius de Vries and excellent world musicians such as Japanese guitarist Masaharu Shimizu, English arranger Chris Elliot and producer Pascal Gabriel. "Bebel Gilberto" opens with the whimsical "Baby", a song written by Caetano Veloso and translated by Os Mutantes. Sung in english it is an invitation for one to enter into her south american heritage with an open heart - a perfect introduction to what follows. The album then moves into one of the most downloaded songs on world music internet, "Simplesmente", a stunning and exquisite piece co-written by Bebel and Argentinian producer-keyboardist Marius de Vries. The next track "Aganju" swings seductively into portuguese. Written by Carlinhos Brown, it is a homage to Xango, a powerful Yoruban orisha (saint). Bebel's mother Miucha completes the backing vocals. The album continues to tantalise and seduce, Bebel's soulful renditions taking the listener on a journey through the labyrinths of Brazil's musical heart. Without a doubt, she is the undisputed queen of the novo Brazilian sound today. Her first Australian shows are not to be missed. Cristina Dio For more visit www.bebelgilberto.com |
|
|
