Illustrated Music
— Now that the world quietly seems to recover, we’ll soon be pleased by releases of new music. The business was very low for the past two years — but hurrah! — it’s slowly reaching the markets again.
During the Covid19 insanity, some musicians recorded solo projects in the safety of their home studios. Humberto Barros couldn’t wait either and got one step further. He created the follow-up of his Longe, Longe project (2015): Experiência. This time purely digital, and again with its own website that houses all the fun to accompany the music. Lyrics, musicians line-up, illustrations, and some clips For the ones who love to have the music on an actual disc, Humberto offers the possibility to download the music. Humberto explains “My thought was…if there´s a right time to make something as a digital gift, a present to those who want to listen…this is the time!” There’s also a version in book format. That one can be bought from the artist.
Keyboardist Humberto Barros (Rio de Janeiro, 1965) is mainly known for his work with the once immensely popular band Kid Abelha during their decade at the top of their popularity. He also worked with Cidade Negra, Rita Lee, Pedro Luis e a Parede, Frejat, and many others. This is his 5th solo project; hence the 5 in the title 5xperiencia. The music is showing that Humberto has grown to his own signature sound. The music sounds jazzier in the arrangements and a bit more polished, or rather structured, than on his previous albums. On his own albums, Humberto reveals himself as a vocalist and as a true multi-instrumentalist. Here we can enjoy his efforts on his favorite instruments, the organ, (electric) piano, and acoustic guitar, but also on Wurlitzer, bass, electronic drums, Moog synthesizer, percussion, accordion, electric guitars, and others. When needed, Humberto uses the talents of other instrumentalists. As said, the music has its own sound, although the opening “E a Chuva Cai” still echoes the era of the Beatles, the 1960s-70s. But the following “O Estranho Acontece” is, what I should call, a pure Barros song. It opens with a creatively formed little choir of Humberto Barros‘s voices. Guitarist Gustavo Corsi joins in, serving in the best possible way with good soloing. Hearing him is always a joy of surprise. The secure Marcelo Vig exactly shows why he was invited to play the drums on this and a few other tracks. Speaking of guest appearances, another guest who’s welcomed is his longtime companion on earlier albums, guitarist Cristiano Crochemore. Daughter Clara Barros lends her shining voice to the fantastic “É A Cidade Quem Me Avisa Calma.” Singer, composer, and actress Katia Jorgensen also adds beautiful vocals on a few tracks. Bruno Migliari plays the acoustic bass on “Amor e Caos.”
Among the highlights of this album is the amazing “Se Eu Fosso Você.” After a tempo change in the second half of the song, we hear the great Cris Braun rapping, soon accompanied by a virtuoso moog solo by Barros. Pure fun is the catchy melody of the instrumental interlude “Cores,” with Marcelo Vig on the drums and Jefferson Victor on trumpet and flugelhorn. The melody comes back a second time, to end the musical journey through Humberto Barros’s renewed website. He is a perfect keyboardist, choosing the right keyboard for the right moment, even if it’s only for a few bars. His soloing on the Moog is great; on the accordion, he gives the songs an extra sentiment. In short: he knows what he’s doing with his inventive artistic brain.
5Xperiëncia brings us a big step closer to who the artistic musician Humberto Barros is. Highly recommended if you’re in for fun and good music. The album and all its extras can be found here.
ALBUM INFORMATION
Humberto Barros
5xperiência
Independent (2021)
Time 61’48”
Tracks (all music and lyrics by Humberto Barros, except where noted):
- E a Chuva Cai
- O Estranho Acontece
- Se Fosse Fácil Não Seria Solidão
- Atravessei o Sol
- É a Cidade Quem Me Avisa Calma
- Os Dias da Gente
- Partir Pra Cima
- Cores (Humberto Barros – Jesuton)
- Se Eu Fosse Você
- Brilha Garota
- Mar do Fundo
- Te Espero No Lago Olhando Para A Chuva
- Amor e Caos
- Cores Finais (Humberto Barros – Jesuton)
You must be logged in to post a comment.