Alvaro Lancellotti – Arruda, Alfazema e Guiné (Amor in Sound, 2024)
Brazilian singer-songwriter Alvaro Lancellotti’s third studio album, Arruda, Alfazema e Guiné, goes deeply into Afro-Brazilian spirituality, drawing inspiration from the traditions of Umbanda. Released through the American label Amor in Sound, the project combines spiritual influences and musical experimentation, creating a sound that hybridizes terreiro chants with modern, spontaneous arrangements.
Arruda, Alfazema e Guiné reflects Lancellotti’s time spent in a terreiro, a sacred space for Afro-Brazilian religious practices. Although the album’s twelve tracks have spiritual significance, they also pay homage to Brazilian experimental Tropicália, particularly Pedro Santos’ iconic 1968 record Krishnanda.
The album’s singles, “Maneira de Ver” and “A Calma,” highlight Lancellotti’s admiration for the fundamental Brazilian group Os Tincoãs. “A Calma” features a special collaboration with Mateus Aleluia, a member of the group. Lancellotti described the experience as deeply meaningful, saying, “Having him sing with me on my album is a gift I’ll carry with me forever.”
Lancellotti’s musical influences for this album range from Krishnanda to classic records like J.B. de Carvalho’s Terreiros e Atabaques (1957) and Joãozinho da Goméia’s Candomblé (1969). American artist Bill Withers and Brazilian legend Jorge Ben also played key roles in shaping the album’s sound. Tracks such as “As Folhas Secas do Pajé,” “Templo de Luz,” and “Poço Negro” further explore spiritual themes, while others like “Diambas e Dendê” carry the rhythmic essence of Withers’ soul music.
The album’s title reflects the healing properties of the plants rue (arruda), lavender (alfazema), and guinea (guiné), symbolizing the calming and restorative effects Lancellotti aims to achieve through his music.
“The guiding principle throughout the creation process was the pursuit of freedom, focusing on spontaneity and allowing the contemporaneity of everyone involved in the work to flow,” Alvaro explained.
The album’s track list also includes songs like ‘Canção de Paz,’ ‘O Canto Lá de Pedra,’ ‘De Luanda e Aruanda,’ and ‘Ando de Bando,’ completing the project released by Amor in Sound, a new label led by Mario Caldato Jr. (who also co-produced the record) and Samantha De Lucena-Caldato, with a mission to release thoughtfully curated projects with genuine meaning.
“You could say that Mario’s contribution as co-producer brings a unique modernity to the record. His use of effects throughout the project reflects the many interpretations of the concept of terreiro,” Alvaro concludes.
Musicians: Alvaro Lancellotti on guitar, vocals; Ilú Biancó, guitar, vocals; Adriano Sampaio, ganzá, congas, agbê, tamborim, atabaque, moringa, tbilat ensemble, cowbell, caxixi, programming, pará nut agogô; Ferran Tamarit on atabaque, congas; Domenico Lancellotti on mpc, cymbals, reco reco, drums, block, agogô, atabaque, programming; Pedro Costa on guitar, low vocals, vocal arrangements, bass, dynamic guitar, mandolin; Marlon Sette on trombone, bass trombone, trombone with mute; Guto Wirtti on bass, acoustic bass, electric bass, piano, electric piano; Mateus Aleluia on vocals; Diogo Gomes on trumpet, flügelhorn, trumpet with mute; Dirceu Leite on flute c, flute g, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax; Michele Leal on vocals, backing vocals, chorus; Alan De Deus on vocals, chorus; Davi Moraes on guitar, Portuguese guitar, nail scraping on Portuguese guitar; and Zé Manoel on piano, vocals, murmurs.
Produced by: Álvaro Lancellotti, Pedro Costa, and Adriano Sampaio
Co-produced by: Mário Caldato
Co-produced by: Diogo Gomes (tracks 3 and 9)
Recorded at Rocinante Studio by Pepê Monnerat and at Som Pedro Studio by Pedro Costa
Edited by: Renato Rocha and Pedro Costa
Mixed by: Mario Caldato for Amor in Sound
Mastered by: Robert Carranza – Los Angeles
Executive and artistic production for Amor in Sound: Samantha de Lucena-Caldato
Cover painting: Oil painting by Maria Klabin
Design: Ana Fortes
Buy Arruda, Alfazema e Guiné.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
