Tudo (Portrait/Sony Music Masterworks, 2014)
Tudo is the first album by Brazilian singer-songwriter Bebel Gilberto in five years. Even though she started her career mixing Brazilian rhythms with electronics, her most recent works focus on classic bossa nova.
“For me, this album came straight from the heart, and the recording process was one of the most intense I have ever been through,” says Gilberto. “A good part of the album was recorded in LA, and you really feel that lighter, brighter west coast vibe in the music, mixed in with my darker ‘New Yorker’ feelings. Tudo means ‘everything’ and as a Brazilian, I feel everything and live every moment deeply, and wanted to sing about each little moment, emotion, idea, melody that has been part of my life over the past year. I am loving life and living more passionately than ever and wanted to share all that!”
The arrangements in Tudo have a retro 1960s pop feel. The album is in essence a mix of dreamy pop with vocals in Portuguese and English and laid back bossa nova. It was recorded in Brazil and the United States. The songs include original material as well reinterpretations of classics, such as Antonio Carlos Jobim’s classic ‘Vivo Sonhando’ and Neil Young’s ‘Harvest Moon.’
The band on Tudo features Masa Shimizu on guitars; Didi Gutman on piano; Mauro Refosco on percussion; Kassin on electric and acoustic bass and guitars; and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson who provided the 1960s-style string arrangements. There is also a guest appearance by vocalist Seu Jorge.
Bebel Gilberto is the daughter of Brazil’s iconic guitarist and vocalist João Gilberto. She became popular with her album Tanto Tempo, released in 2000. Other releases include Bebel Gilberto (2004), Momento (2007), and All in One (2009). Bebel Gilberto also released a concert DVD titled Bebel Gilberto in Rio in Brazil in 2013.
Bebel Gilberto will be performing on Monday, October 6th, 2014 at Barbican Hall in London. Tickets: £17.50 – 27.50
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.
