— Nothing can be more rewarding than having two time-honored Brazilian artists releasing brand new recordings of original material. With the world — and Brazil — still troubled with the pandemic that does not seem to end, listeners worldwide are lucky to have new albums by Antonio Adolfo and Joyce Moreno available in all formats. In good Brazilian alphabetical order, i.e., by the first name, let’s check out the highlights of these new albums.
Creating New Life with Classics
Antonio Adolfo (Rio de Janeiro, 1947) is no stranger to readers of MúsicaBrasileira.org. I have had the pleasure to review over a dozen of his creations here. This remarkable pianist, composer, arranger, teacher, and bandleader has been very prolific and recognized with multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy nominations throughout the years.
In Brazil, he began his professional career in the 1960s in the famous area known as Beco das Garrafas. It was in that decade that one of his world hits was penned. I am referring to “Sá Marina” or “Pretty World,” as it is known outside of Brazil. He has been recorded by Sergio Mendes, Early Klugh, Herb Alpert, Stevie, Wonder, Josee Koning, Fernanda Cunha, and Dionne Warwick, to name a few. His albums have paid tribute to great artists both in Brazil and abroad. Jobim Forever (2021), BruMa: Celebrating the Music of Milton Nascimento (2020), Hybrido: From Rio to Wayne Shorter (2017), and Antonio Adolfo Abraça Ernesto Nazareth (1981) are classics.
In this brand new album, Octet and Originals, Adolfo focuses on his music. Written, arranged, and produced by Adolfo, the album features a remarkable octet ensemble. Besides Adolfo on piano, you will find Jessé Sadoc (trumpet, flugelhorn), Danilo Sinna (alto sax), Marcelo Martins (tenor sax, flute), Rafael Rocha (trombone), Jorge Helder (double bass), Rafael Barata (drums, percussion), and Ricardo Silveira (guitar). With a team of that caliber and the music featured in Octet and Originals, nothing can go wrong.
One thing that has been proven time and time again is that no matter how many times we hear an Adolfo composition, his arrangements are always fresh and new. Adolfo is a master in creating new life to his music as well as others’ compositions. I cannot express my enthusiasm when I saw the very first track on the album: “Heart of Brazil.” A tribute to the Amazon rainforest, “Coração do Brasil” is the original song name. It has only been recorded by Adolfo once before and by Fernanda Cunha, Dionne Warwick, Josee Koning, and Eliana Pittman. The instrumental version presented here is just as great as the previously mentioned vocal renditions.
In a little over fifty-two minutes of great music, you will hear a stellar selection and great arrangements. Among the ten songs chosen for the album, “Pretty World” and “Teletema” are included. The former needs no introduction. The latter was a TV series theme and a tremendous hit in Brazil.
Octet and Originals is again another brilliant album with Antonio Adolfo‘s impeccable arrangements, classic music, and superb performances.
Swinging with Bossa
A new album by Joyce Moreno (Rio de Janeiro, 1948) is always a welcome breath of fresh air. Her voice is unique and synonymous with some of the best songs in the Brazilian songbook. She has been recorded by the best in MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) as well as foreign artists, from Elis Regina, Maria Bethânia, Gal Costa, Milton Nascimento, and Edu Lobo to Annie Lennox, Omara Portuondo, Claus Ogerman, The Black Eyed Peas, and Gerry Mulligan. Here at MúsicaBrasileira.org, we have neglected to give the proper attention this artist deserves. We have only reviewed two of her forty-two album discography. Let’s just admit it is a terrible oversight for this tremendous guitarist, singer, and songwriter. It must be noted that earlier works by Joyce Moreno are found under her first name only, Joyce. It was only in recent years that she adopted her last name as part of her professional name.
In Brasileiras Canções (Brazilian Songs), Joyce Moreno wrote eight of the twelve tracks in the album. The remaining four were co-written with Portuguese lyricist Tiago Torres da Silva, Marcos Valle, Moacyr Luz, and Cristóvão Bastos. With Joyce on acoustic guitar and vocals, the rest of the quartet brings Hélio Alves (piano), Jorge Helder (bass), and Tutty Moreno (drums). To wrap up this polished release, a few extra guests lend their talents to Brasileiras Canções. They are Mônica Salmaso, Moacyr Luz, Marcos Nimrichter, Alfredo Del-Penho, Lula Galvão, and Chico Pinheiro. Simple and so full of swing and bossa, as is the case with everything she has done, this is a very pleasing and welcome release by one of the best voices in Brazilian music.
A jazzy piano introduction opens the album with “Todo Mundo.” Joyce Moreno‘s voice is as clear and crisp as it has ever been. She holds high notes with ease. In that opener, she swings away in this uplifting song about better days and dreams for the world, no matter what latitude you’re in, the song says. The special guests’ appearances blend in warm tones and harmonies in “Tantas Vidas” (Mônica Salmaso is marvelous and in her zone), “A Morte É uma Invenção” (Moacyr Luz adds expressive vocals), and “Quem Nunca” (Alfredo Del-Penho is jovial and playful). Besides those great vocalists, Joyce Moreno also features an evocative accordion solo by Marcos Nimrichter in “Paris e Eu,” the rich sounds of Lula Galvão‘s acoustic guitar in the title track, an inimitable guitar accompaniment by Chico Pinheiro in “Não Deu Certo (Mas Foi Divertido),” and the matchless Cristóvão Bastos‘ piano solo in “Alimento.” The gorgeous ballad “Nas Voltas do Tempo” (co-written with bossa icon Marcos Valle) is alluring and sublime, and again it features a touching piano solo by Hélio Alves.
It is not hard to fall in love with Brasileiras Canções or any other album by this artist. Joyce Moreno is in top form and delivers commanding performances in this forty-minute dazzling recording. It is so good to have new material from her. Incidentally, we should have another Joyce Moreno album coming up sometime in September. It has been reported that after 45 years since she worked with German arranger and producer Claus Ogerman, the album Natureza should be out in September. Stay tuned.
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