TRIBALISTAS
Tribalistas (Blue Note)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Tribalistas is the name selected by a trio of some of Brazil's most esteemed popular music figures, Arnaldo Antunes, Carlos Brown and Marisa Monte, for this unique collaboration. Although Monte produced the sessions, and each of the others attest that final decisions were yielded to her in that capacity, each member of the threesome brought a set of unique talents and influences to the project, and the result is music of the kind that can only be made when egos are laid aside and hearts are laid open.

Since my Portuguese language skills are roughly on a par with my understanding of, say, ancient Sumerian, my appreciation of the music here is essentially an appreciation of it as a series of sound poems, and on that level it's simply beautiful. Each of the principle performers is an excellent vocalist, and their voices are woven into a magnificent tapestry of sound. That's laid upon a surface created by the multi-instrumental gifts of Brown and Monte, along with a select group of accompanists. Drawing on a wide range of Brazilian traditions, including samba, bossa nova and various folk forms, they've created a striking window into the musical heritage of their country through the presentation of the best of its musical present.

There are no apparent plans for concert appearances or future recording projects by the trio. For the sake of the musical future, I can only hope that plans change.

Track List:

Carnavalia * Um a Um * Velha Infancia * Passe Em Casa * O Amor E Feio * E Voce * Carnalismo * Mary Cristo * Anjo da Guarda * La de Longe * Pecado E Ihe Deixar de Molho * Ja Sei Namorar * Tribalistas

© 2003 - Shaun Dale