Só (Borandá, 2013)
Composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Antonio Loureiro has released one of the most exciting Brazilian music albums in recent albums. It’s a fabulous mix of Brazilian folk roots with fusion jazz, progressive music and moments of fun sound exploration and improvisation.
Loureiro’s new album, Só is one of those recordings that captivates you from the very beginning. I first played it while I was writing and had to replay it at home and in my car to capture all the beautiful arrangements and rich nuances.
“I didn’t want to make music that was exactly right. It makes me frustrated. I want to have fun. I want to play,” says Antonio Loureiro.
What also stands out about Só is that the entire album is really good. There is not a lame track. Antonio Loureiro’s music contains numerous folkloric elements, but you can also find his contemporary global edge.
“I play music that comes from the inside and music that comes from the outside,” Loureiro clarifies. “In Belo Horizonte, where I come from, there’s a history of mixing music from all around. In the 1960s Milton Nascimento and Toninho Horta were mixing jazz and popular music. I’m a drummer, I played with these musicians. I played with Toninho Horta for a while and lots of musicians from Belo Horizonte but unfortunately I’ve never met Milton Nascimento) – I even played in Toninho’s band for a while. So it was natural. Even if I didn’t want it, they influenced me. Jazz, music from Africa, rock, progressive, it all becomes an influence. The popular music from Brazil is probably one of my biggest influences. The music from Northeast and from Minas.”
In addition to drums, Antonio Loureiro plays vibraphone, percussion, piano, bass, guitar and vocals. “I’m playing but that’s all part of the composition. Over seventy per cent of the overdubbing is first takes. It’s the closest thing to playing all the instruments at once.”
Guest musicians include saxophonist Thiago França, who contributes two engaging solos. “He gives a sound that’s like a texture,” Loureiro indicates. “He’s not worried about the notes.” Other guests include vocalist Tatiana Parra and pianist Andrés Beeusaert.
Antonio Loureiro demonstrates that he is one of the most thrilling Brazilian artists that has arrived to the North American market in recent years.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
