Peroloas Aos Povos

Amazon.com
Young Brazil is definitely on the rise and Rita Ribeiro might well be its best female singer. Having worked with artists like Chico César and Zeca Baleiro, she's now strutting her own stuff very effectively, moving beyond the samba and bossa nova to create some playful pop music that draws on funk, dance beats, and forro (sometimes in the same song) as much as the music that people usually associate with the country. "Ha Mulheres" is the perfect example, beginning with an Afro-Brazilian chant and Carnaval samples, then moving through Kenny G jazz, before exploding into a song whose melody owes a great deal to the Who's "You Better You Bet." The title track brings Bob Marley and the Wailers to mind. It's eclectic and fun loving, acknowledging five centuries of tradition but still skipping determinedly into the future. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

Banho Cheiroso
Ha Mulheres
Filhos Da Percisao
Pensar Em Voce
Deja Vu
Vendedor De Bananas
Mana Chica
Mambo Da Dor
Perolas Aos Povos
To
Na Gira

Amazon.com

Young Brazil is definitely on the rise and Rita Ribeiro might well be its best female singer. Having worked with artists like Chico César and Zeca Baleiro, she's now strutting her own stuff very effectively, moving beyond the samba and bossa nova to create some playful pop music that draws on funk, dance beats, and forro (sometimes in the same song) as much as the music that people usually associate with the country. "Ha Mulheres" is the perfect example, beginning with an Afro-Brazilian chant and Carnaval samples, then moving through Kenny G jazz, before exploding into a song whose melody owes a great deal to the Who's "You Better You Bet." The title track brings Bob Marley and the Wailers to mind. It's eclectic and fun loving, acknowledging five centuries of tradition but still skipping determinedly into the future. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

A great album, a wonderful singer too... buy now!.......2005-05-17

Rita Ribeiro is best known for doing a real Brazilian music. She catches afro music and put along samba genere. Having worked with Chico Cesar and many others afro singers, she has learn to find her way. In Brazil she is not very known because she is not a POP diva, she does her songs because she likes and she knows she is important for a little audience. It's a great album, every song is worked as a art work!

Unique and infectious.......2005-01-01

There is indeed a variety of musical styles on this CD, but the constants are Rita Ribeiro's wonderful voice and the kind of painstaking, elaborate and interesting arrangements that make music enjoyable and fresh even after many listenings. I should know because I find some of the music here, especially Banho Cheiroso, Ha Mulheres and Mana Chica, amazingly addictive. I also appreciated the translated lyrics, because otherwise I would never have guessed that Banho Cheiroso was a recommendation to take an aromatic bath to overcome your indolence. Very highly recommended.

Great album - leaves me wanting more.......2001-04-13

I was fortunate enough to see Rita along with Chico Cesar live in a free concert given at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC last August and was totally blown away by both singers and their bands(it didn't hurt that I was standing less than 10 feet from the stage). I love this album and someone told me she had two more out in Brazil. If anyone knows of a source where I could obtain them - please email me at ze_povinho@hotmail.com.

I can only reiterate what the other reviewers have said. Rita's music has a base in the local traditions of Northeastern Brazil, but there is a modern element as well which combines somehow combines berimbau, guitars and beats into some great songs. My favorites are "Ha Mulheres" and "Pensar em Voce" but the whole album is good. Believe it or not, I can see the comparison between The Who's "You Better You Bet" and "Ha Mulheres" in the way the song builds up and progresses around a simple, yet clever lyric. Very sharp observation.

Brava !.......2001-03-15

The best I have ever heard in this genre. I am still trying to find other work by Rita. Perhaps someone knows whether she is in a band in Brazil and the band has her hidden away in the credits?! In all, I would buy, unseen and unheard, anything by Rita. Can't help but get happy with her. Bill

Wonderful.......2001-03-08

This is going to be a very important album in brasilian music. Rita Ribeiro was born in maranhao a small state in the brasilian notheast, like Zeca Baleiro she is part of new movement of musicians from that area that suscesfully blend the old rhythms from the region with the new ones, local sounds with souns that come from abroad(rock, blues, soul).This new artist are giving MPB a new alternative, their music is absolutely wonderful.