Mares Profundos

Amazon.com
Here on Mares Profundos, Brazilian contralto Virginia Rodrigues creates her own superb versions of sambas written in the 1960s by the illustrious team of lyricist Vinícius de Moraes and composer Baden Powell. This includes all eight of their famed Afro-sambas, which emphasized samba's African roots by using rhythmic and lyrical content appropriated from the chanting invocations of Afro-Brazilian religious polytheism. As a great singer and a black woman from Bahia (a coastal area of Brazil most impacted by arrival of African slaves), Rodrigues brings an innate sense of musical understanding to the material (and its social implications). The timeless arrangements of Luiz Brasil add immensely to the album as well, beautifully complementing her world-class voice with spare but tasteful accompaniment that alternately includes samba's rhythms and acoustic guitar underpinnings, as well as a rich vocal choir (particularly on the stunning "Canto De Ossanha"), a festive horn section, and a sublime mid-size string section. This deserves an honored spot in any Brazilian music fan's collection. --Tad Hendrickson

Product Description
2004 Album, Based on Afro-sambas by Vinicius and Baden Powell. Artistic Direction by Caetano Veloso, Production and Arrangements by Luiz Brasil.

Tracks:

Canto De Pedra Preta
Tristeza E Solidao
Bocoche
Tempo De Amor
Canto De Iemanja
Labareda
Canto De Xango
Canto De Ossanha
Lipinha
Consolacao
Berimbau
Lamento De Exu

Amazon.com

Here on Mares Profundos, Brazilian contralto Virginia Rodrigues creates her own superb versions of sambas written in the 1960s by the illustrious team of lyricist Vinícius de Moraes and composer Baden Powell. This includes all eight of their famed Afro-sambas, which emphasized samba's African roots by using rhythmic and lyrical content appropriated from the chanting invocations of Afro-Brazilian religious polytheism. As a great singer and a black woman from Bahia (a coastal area of Brazil most impacted by arrival of African slaves), Rodrigues brings an innate sense of musical understanding to the material (and its social implications). The timeless arrangements of Luiz Brasil add immensely to the album as well, beautifully complementing her world-class voice with spare but tasteful accompaniment that alternately includes samba's rhythms and acoustic guitar underpinnings, as well as a rich vocal choir (particularly on the stunning "Canto De Ossanha"), a festive horn section, and a sublime mid-size string section. This deserves an honored spot in any Brazilian music fan's collection. --Tad Hendrickson

Album Details

2004 Album, Based on Afro-sambas by Vinicius and Baden Powell. Artistic Direction by Caetano Veloso, Production and Arrangements by Luiz Brasil.

Customer Reviews:

a must have.......2006-12-22

I was shocked to see that of Virgínia's 3 CDs, this one received the worst customer ratings. Virgínia's take on the Afro-sambas is truly inspired. Apart from her amazing voice, she brings to this song cycle an "insider's" look at sambas written about the gods she serves as a Candomblé practitioner. The musical arrangements are always appropriate, ranging from plaintive to joyful depending on the song. I can only recommend this CD--everyone I've introduced to it fell in love with it instantly. Enjoy!

Song Cycle.......2004-11-17

The tunes here were composed by noted guitarist/composer Baden Powell and lyricist Vinicius de Morales and are in the form of a song cycle.
Virginia Rodrigues is a big girl with a big voice who can handle the gentlest ballad or a semi-operatic piece with equal ability.

Major Disappointment!.......2004-07-08

Although there is nothing like the pure voice of Virginia Rodrigues, this album was a MAJOR disappointment. Her first album was wonderful, her second OK, and this one, unfortunately, is in most ways a failure. The arrangements are unimaginative and they have sort of a Lawrence Welk quality, and most of the tracks lack any Afro-Brazilian feel at all. I hope that on her next album she goes back to the popular Brazilian rhythms and melodies that made her first album such an amazing musical achievement.
If you want true Afro-Sambas, try to find the original 1966 album, with Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes, which is available as part of the 13 CD Baden Powell box.

A profound disappointment compared to Nos and Sol Negro.......2004-04-12

If you liked Nos and Sol Negro, you may not like this one as much - I didn't. It feels very 1960s tired and hasn't the same energy and life of Rodrigues' first two albums. I listen to those all the time; I won't listen to this one much.

wishing she lived nextdoor.......2003-12-19

her voice is so beautiful warm, she sings so musically, the arrangements are amazing. please come over to the netherlands and share it all with us. you are great.

Rock Music:

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