Brazilian Kisses
São Paulo native, Maria Farinha has worked with an impressive list of Brazilian stars, including Manfredo Fest, Romero Lubambo, Gilberto Gil, Nailor Proveta, Thiago Espírito Santo and Sizão Machado as well as international jazz musicians, such as Arturo Sandoval among others. Starting professionally as a pianist at the age of 16, Maria Farinha soon discovered her mixture of Brazilian music and jazz in the late 1980’s. Her first album, 1998’s Planeta Banana, received wide praises for her fast phrasing and romantic ballads. That album was followed with 2002’s Endless Samba, which featured her own compositions mixed with standards by Tom Jobim, Edu Lobo, Chico Buarque and even an incursion in Armando Manzanero’s songbook.
Her latest release, Beijo de Amor (Kiss of Love), continues her fast trajectory in the music business. Again with songs from her favorite Brazilian songwriters — Tom Jobim, Edu Lobo and Chico Buarque — Maria Farinha adds new surprises from Bossa Nova icons Roberto Menescal, Eumir Deodato, Paulo Sérgio Valle as well as Tropicália master Gilberto Gil. Recorded in 2007 in São Paulo, Maria is behind the production and conception of the recording. Mixing Brazilian standards with her own compositions, she seems to find the right balance for a pleasing repertoire. The musicians in this exciting release include Thiago Espírito Santo (bass), Alex Buck (drums), Nailor Proveta (alto sax) and several others providing a good and solid accompaniment. From the captivating opener “É Samba, Meu” to the Bossa Nova closer “Fuji Samba,” the album sways confidently from up tempo sambas — “Dançarina do Ocidente,” “Amanhã Ninguém Sabe” — to gorgeous ballads — “Candeias,” “Beijo de Amor,” “Little Tears (Razão de Viver).” Also worth mentioning is the surprising soft samba arrangement for the 1930’s Broadway hit “You and the Night and the Music.” Nice touch!
To learn more about the artist and hear samples from this album, please visit Maria Farinha.
ALBUM INFORMATION
Maria Farinha
Beijo de Amor (Kiss of Love)
RONFA 1000 (2007)
Time: 41’47”
Tracks:
- É Samba, Meu (Maria Farinha)
- Candeias (Edu Lobo)
- Dançarina do Ocidente (Maria Farinha)
- You and the Night and the Music (Howard Diet – Arthur Schwartz)
- Amanhã Ninguém Sabe (Chico Buarque)
- Beijo de Amor (Maria Farinha)
- Little Tears (Eumir Deodato – Paulo Valle)
- Nuestra Canción (Maria Farinha)
- Eu Vim da Bahia (Gilberto Gil)
- Fuji Samba (Roberto Menescal)
