Adriana Calcanhoto

Adriana Calcanhoto is 'gaucha', a person born in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in the South of Brazil. She was revealed as a MPB, pop singer and composer in 1990, after a decade of rock in the Brazilian music scene. Adriana helped bring Brazilian music to the parades again.

Her first public appearance took place in Brazilian night clubs. She participated in concerts and music festivals accross the country, releasing her first album 'Enguico' in 1990. The critics raved about her work, and in 1991 she received the Sharp Award in the category 'revelation' for best female singer.

Adriana showed her versatility in a performance at the Argumento bookstore in Rio de Janeiro in a project that chalenged her to set Mario de Sa Carneiro ( a Portuguese poet)'s poems to music.
Her latest work is the album 'Adriana Partimpim', a selection of music for children.

Adriana is constantly creating, as her discography proves it. After her debut album followed Senhas (1992), A fabrica do poema (1994), Maritmo (1998), Publico (2000), Cantada (2002), Adriana Partimpim (2004).

Check out Adriana Calcanhoto's site to listen to her many albums. I particularly love the song "Fico Assim Sem Voce" (The way I am without you) from Adriana Partimpim's album. It is 'bossanovish' ... Well go there and see it for yourself!!!

BossaCucaNova

Bossacucanova is a Rio-based trio who incorporate influences from around the world to create music that is freshly modern, traditionally Brazilian - and perfect for dancing!

DJ Marcelinho DaLua, bassist Márcio Menescal and keyboardist Alexandre Moreira have given new life and vigor to old bossa nova songs through the application of funky breakbeats, skillful turntablism, electronic manipulation and adventurous mixology.

On the album 'Brasilidade' they work with Roberto Menescal, a guitarist and composer of several classic bossas, who is also Marcio's father.

Their last album, the third for the group, 'Uma Batida Diferente' ("A Different Beat") was recorded in the band's home base of Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro in early 2004. They count with the particpation of Adriana Calcanhoto, Chris Delano, Marcos Valle, just to name a few. It is almost impossible to listen to it and not feel a dance energy emerging.

I would say that 'Uma Batida Diferente' is the perfect prescription for those blue days. Get it rolling and your mood will improve in a matter of seconds!

Visit their site www.bossacucanova.com , in English, to get familiar with their work. Drop us a line, and let us know what you think.

Roberta Sá

"Braseiro" is the name of her first album, and was released in 2005. It was produced by Rodrigo Campello, a violinist and guitar player. She sings pure MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) , proving that music does not have an expiration date.

One of the songs in her album is 'Casa Pre-Fabricada' composed by Marcelo Camelo of Los Hermanos, and also recorded by Maria Rita in her latest album. Roberta's interpretation of this song is unique. She delivers it in a pleasant and uplifting way, differing from Maria Rita's version that, in my opinion, is heavier. Try listening to both, and see what you think.

Click here to visit Roberta Sa's site. Figure out how to navigate on the site, click on a little stick on screen to get to the menu, and click on Braseiro to get to the songs.

Los Hermanos

Los Hermanos is a band from Rio de Janeiro formed by Marcelo Camelo, Rodrigo Amarante, Rodrigo Barba e Bruno Medina. They started in 1999 with the song "Ana Julia"(also recorded by Jim Capaldi and George Harrison), and their repertoire have evolved significantly since then.
They consolidated the band style as cult mainly because of their so-called clever lyrics and mixture of Brazilian rhythms with rock.
Their lyrics talk about current themes, and are composed by the group, mostly by Marcelo and Rodrigo.
Unlike most bands, you can go to their website and listen to a whole song, or even the whole album.
You can also see music clips of the 'beard guys' as they perform different songs (files are fast to download) . Perfect way to get to know their work. Try listening to "Morena" (Brunette), one of my favorites, and see what you think...

Maria Rita

I wrote the post below last year. By now, Maria Rita has a third album ready to be released world wide on September 14. The title of her new work is "Samba Meu", and as it suggests, the album is filled with new samba from different composers.

Arlindo Cruz's“Tá perdoado”, is the first song of album, and you can listen to it right here.

I will post links to her new songs as soon as they are available. Stay tuned!
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Maria Rita is one of the newest voices in the Brazilian music scene. Daughter of the singer Elis Regina (March 17, 1945 - January 19, 1982, was among the most popular female singers in Brazil in the 1960s and '70s.) and Cesar Camargo Mariano, a Brazilian pianist, arranger, composer and music producer.

Maria Rita started her career in May of 2002 participating in a concert that involved different musicians known as 'Meia Noite Meio Dia' ('Midnight Midday').

Her solo career started with the release of album: 'Maria Rita'. In this album she sings songs from different Brazilian artists such as Milton Nascimento, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Marcelo Camelo (from Los Hermanos, one of my favorite bands, posting coming soon). Great way to start!

Last year, 2005, she released a new album entitled 'Segundo' (Second). The album was produced by Lenine. She sings songs of Rodrigo Maranhao, Marcelo Camelo, Marcelo Yuka, among others.

I enjoy the poetic quality of the two albums, especially in pieces composed by the 'Marcelos': Camelo and Yuka.Their lyrics relate to Brazilian /world issues of the present. Songs like Marcelo Yuka's 'Minha Alma' (My Soul) touches on 'Brazilian social blisters' by questioning who is in prison the middle class or the criminals out on the street when he says: 'as grades do condomínio sao pra trazer protecao mas tambem trazem a duvida se e voce que esta nessa prisao' (the gates of the gated community are designed to bring protection, but it also questions who is prison).