Alaíde Costa (Rio de Janeiro, 1935) is one of Brazil's living divas. Gifted with extraordinary voice and superb diction and phrasing, she has been making music for 50 years. To celebrate this outstanding career, she has released the instant classic Tudo Que o Tempo Me Deixou. Produced by Antonio Carlos Vidigal with musical direction and arrangements by Gilson Peranzzetta, the album is another beautiful release of this remarkable singer.

In addition to arranging and directing this album, Peranzzetta also played piano and keyboards. The rest of the group supporting Costa's gorgeous singing is Paulo Russo (acoustic bass), João Cortez (drums), Mauro Senise (saxes, flutes) and David Chew (cello). With an impeccable repertoire that includes songs by Sueli Costa, Paulo César Pinheiro, Sebastião Tapajós, Dolores Duran, Hermínio Bello de Carvalho, Johnny Alf and Dori Caymmi, Tudo Que o Tempo Me Deixou still includes another surprise: a brand new collaboration of Alaíde Costa and Antônio Carlos Jobim, "Você É Amor." The story behind the song is simple. In an interview with the daily Estado de São Paulo, Costa explained that although she had been singing this songs in live shows, she had never recorded it before. Written in 1961 at Vinícius de Moraes' home, Costa said she was singing the melody when Tom Jobim said to her: "What a beautiful thing. Who wrote it"? She said it was hers, and Jobim then added the lyrics. So, here we have it.

As demonstrated in recent works by Costa, such as Falando de Amor (Auvidis B 6876, 1998) and Rasguei Minha Fantasia (JAM Music 270.065, 2001), the polished and super refined repertoire selection and arrangements make every Costa album a rare pleasure. In this release, Costa presents us with beautiful gems from the Brazilian songbook, including traditional and contemporary songwriters. With a soft and touching cello introduction, the title track opens the album. Slowly, Costa begins pouring her heart as she sings Paulo César Pinheiro's moving lyrics. The song is like a testament of Costa's own life. She will reminisce about things from the past as well as more current themes. Continuing her trajectory, Costa picked one of Sueli Costa and Abel Silva's most haunting songs. A homage to women, "A Voz de Mulher" is also a thank-you to those powerful women in the Antilles, in Brazil, in the United States -- all singing about love and carrying us in the wings of those songs. Senise's flute solo in this track is mesmerizing. He also returns with his soprano sax in "Estranha Saudade" and "Saída," for example, giving us again the same chills with his heartwarming performance. Song after song, Costa gently delivers a repertoire that deals with the heart, longing and love. Most songs are soulful ballads that give us a chance to enjoy Costa's unequivocal phrasing and clear enunciation. There is, however, a more up-tempo ballad, "Coração sem Saída." And then we have the brand new recording of "Você É Amor" and the classic Fátima Guedes' "Minha Nossa Senhora," which is performed here in prayer-like fashion.

If you need an excuse to run away from it all, to simply sit down and relax in absolute peace and be serenaded by entrancing melodies and performances, Tudo Que o Tempo Me Deixou is your ticket to your own private paradise. You can hear samples of the album here.

E.L.