Fabiano do Nascimento proves with his new album that the deep sounds created by Baden Powell and Hermeto Pascoal – legendary experimentalists in Brazilian music during the 60s and 70s – did not cease from the surface of Brazilian music.
His debut album Dança dos Tempos was released by Now Again Records, following on from their release of another Brazilian record, Seu Jorge and Almaz, in 2010. Participating in the recording is the globally renowned percussionist Airto Moreira, who recently produced his first album after a 10 year hiatus. The album makes for a soothing and wonderful adventure into jazzy folkloric music, a garden of eden for instrumental enthusiasts.
Mixing Brazil’s different music styles and rhythms is central to Nascimento’s album. The first song, “Forro Brasil” is a beautiful interplay of guitar and percussion and a more folkloric remake of Pascoal’s original jazz-centred track. The interesting musical mix continues through the album, with the second track “Ewe” portraying a beautiful folkloric ballad with strings accompanying the soothing voice of Kana Shimanuki. It’s as if you’re walking through light rain on a drowsy day.
My personal highlight is Nascimento’s rearrangement of “Toccata em Ritmo de Samba”, originally composed and played by the fabulous Brazilian musician Radamés Gnattali. The track is one of the most emotional on the album, partly due to its classical influence, featuring a mashup of samba percussion and drum beats with beautiful guitar strings, a quick-beat virtuoso that stirred me up and doesn’t let me go since listening to it.
Dança dos Tempos was recorded live throughout, giving the listener a special feel of Brazilian authenticity. Its cross-generational character adds to the innovative way in which Fabiano do Nascimento arranged the music, taking up influences from across a wide spectrum of bossa nova, jazz and a heavily instrumental vibe.
Dança dos Tempos is available from Amazon UK, Amazon US and iTunes
Follow Sounds and Colours: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Mixcloud / Soundcloud / Bandcamp
Subscribe to the Sounds and Colours Newsletter for regular updates, news and competitions bringing the best of Latin American culture direct to your Inbox.