Mar do Meu Mundo (Boranda Music, 2013)
Paula Santoro is one of the great voices in the current Brazilian jazz scene. Her new album titled Mar do Meu Mundo (The Sea in My World) presents a collection of expressive laid back songs In which she combines Brazilian samba and bossa nova with jazz and folk music elements. “For many of us in Minais Gerais,” she explains about the title of the album, “the sea is a kind of hidden desire. We don’t have the sea at home, so many of my happiest memories, and those of my family and friends, come from when we go to the sea for vacations and special occasions.”
For Mar do Meu Mundo, Paula Santoro chose a mixture of compositions from young, emerging musicians based in her home state of Minais Gerais and some works by established composers like Ivan Lins and Danilo Caymmi. “These songs chose me,” says Paula Santoro, “just as much as I chose them. And in concentrating on this theme, I decided the album would not just be about the sea as a natural element, but also as a personal one, meaning the inner sea we all carry within ourselves, with all its turbulences, periods of calm, and its mysteries.”
Highlights in Mar do Meu Mundo include ‘Mar Deserto’ where the music departs from the comfort zone and takes the listener into a dreamworld of mesmerizing circling percussion and vocals; and the contemporary jazz-infused ‘Arabesco.’
“Brazilian female singers have always been key to translate our music to new audiences,” clarifies Fernando Grecco, who founded the Borandá record label. “Paula Santoro had already collaborated on a recent Borandá release, singing as a special guest on two tracks of Mario Adnet’s 2013 Latin Grammy nominee, Um Olhar Sobre Villa Lobos. As Elis Regina did once, she explores the tradition of our music by combining music from established composers alongside compositions from younger composers whose work may not be as well-known. In doing so, Paula Santoro has now become our leading, modern interpreter of Brazilian popular music.”
Mar do Meu Mundo is a beautifully constructed album by one of the most talented singers from Minas Gerais.
Buy Mar do Meu Mundo
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.
