Eliane
Elias’ Made in Brazil, scheduled for release on March 31, 2015 on Concord Jazz,
marks a musical homecoming for the multi-GRAMMY®-nominated
pianist, keyboardist, singer, and composer. In her three-decade long career as a solo
artist, Made in Brazil results from the first time she’s recorded a disc in her
native Brazil since moving to the United States in 1981. (International release
dates may vary)
Elias
wears many hats on this project as producer, composer, lyricist, arranger,
pianist and vocalist. “I am completely immersed and involved in every single
detail of the music and the recording process, from the birth of an idea until
its completion through every aspect of the production until it reaches the
public,” she explains.
Along
with co-producers, Steve Rodby and Marc Johnson, her bass playing musical
partner, Elias ventured ‘home’ and recruited a splendid cast of Brazilian
musicians that include electric bassist Marcelo Mariano; guitarists Marcus
Teixeira and Roberto Menescal; drummers Edu Ribeiro and Rafael Barata; and
percussionists Mauro Refosco and Marivaldo dos Santos.
Elias
peppered the sessions with delightful special guest performances from Mark
Kibble and the multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel vocal group Take 6; her
singer/songwriter-daughter Amanda Brecker; one of Brazil’s most celebrated
R&B stars, Ed Motta; and the distinguished bossa nova composer Roberto
Menescal.
Elias
also invited Rob Mathes to handle orchestral arrangements on seven of the 12
tracks, which were recorded in London at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.
“It’s so touching to hear the music unfold,” she says of the orchestral
arrangements after they were overdubbed onto the São Paulo sessions. “You can
see the musical notes on paper, but it’s something else to hear them realized
and performed by members of the London Symphonic Orchestra.”
In terms
of material, Made in Brazil contains six Elias originals plus two Ary Barroso
standards, two Roberto Menescal chestnuts, and two Antônio Carlos Jobim
world-renowned gems. Elias, who did all the arrangements for the basic tracks,
said that she purposely wanted Made in Brazil to incorporate three generations
of Brazilian composers. “But it’s not a retro record,” she clarifies. “It’s
very contemporary yet with the tradition and authenticity of Brazil; it’s music
of the world with Brazilian DNA.”
Indeed,
Made in Brazil’s pulsating bossa nova and samba rhythms, transfixing harmonies
and sensual lyrics, accentuated by Elias’ own captivating vocals and incredible
pianistic acumen, will surely become a 21st-century Brazilian classic. Elias
frames the disc with two Barroso gems – “Brasil (Aquarela do Brasil)” and “No
Tabuleiro da Baiana.”
“Brasil,”
penned in 1939, “is a Brazilian anthem,” enthuses Elias. “It’s reported to be
the most preferred Brazilian song of the last 100 years. It’s about the beautiful
things of our country, the Brazilian Brazil; its natural beauty, mixed ethnic
cultures and the samba.” Here she accentuates the composition with a
suspenseful diaphanous string arrangement, whereas Elias and the band concoct
an intoxicating, lithe groove. Atop of the infectious samba rhythm, Elias
graces the proceeding with a glowing Fender Rhodes accompaniment, which later
unfolds into a joyous and rhythmic solo.
Barroso
wrote “No Tabuleiro da Baiana,” in 1936, which was made famous by singer Carmen
Miranda. Through the song’s theme about a tabuleiro, a tray filled with edible
treats typical of Bahia, Elias says that her rendition allows her to share her
affection for that particular Brazilian state. “I love the culture; I love the
people; I love the music; and I love the food,” Elias says.” I’ve been in love
with Bahia all my life.” On her delightful rendition, Elias hammers the samba
with harder, percussive accents via her vivacious piano playing inside some
hip-swerving inducing accompaniment while her dexterous vocal rides and swings
on top.
On
“Você” and “Rio,” Elias invites the songs’ composer, Roberto Menescal, to
accompany on guitar. On “Você,” the two sound like lovebirds on the 1963 bossa
nova hit as they croon the romantic lyrics while the string arrangement sweeps
them afloat. Elias’ impeccable piano accompaniment and sparkling improvisation
provide the perfect musical trimming.
On
“Rio,” which also dates back to 1963, Elias retains the same lineup as she
sings the song’s elegant lyrics about the beauty of a seaside landscape while
creating beautiful modulations and colors through her harmonies. “It was
special to have the composer be a guest,” Elias says of her collaboration with
Menescal. “We shared some very tender moments.”
As a
bonus track, Elias delivers a rapturous makeover of Menescal’s most beloved
composition, “Little Boat (O Barquinho),” yet another aquatic-themed showcase
for Elias’ incredible musical rapport with Johnson and Barata. Elias’ ingenious
arrangement at times evokes the motion of a boat floating and moving through
waves.
Regarding
Jobim, Elias performs his epochal “Águas de Março (Waters of March),” which she
notes is the most covered Brazilian tune in the world.” Through the song’s
picturesque, stream-of-consciousness lyrics, Elias puts a new spin on the
song’s allure with her R&B-inflected mid-tempo arrangement, and by inviting
Take 6 to sing with her. Elias’ arrangement is a completely fresh take on the
song, and her vocals combined with Take 6 are splendid. “Ironically, when Jobim wrote this song in
1972, he thought he had reached the end of his career,” Elias explains. “The
lyrics talk about being at the end of the road, about being alone, but the
song’s message ultimately is optimistic and carries hope.”
Elias’
other revisit of Jobim’s music on Made in Brazil illustrates her capricious yet
musical ingenuity. She delivers a sublime mashup of Jobim’s “Este Seu Olhar”
and “Promessas.” Accompanied by Johnson, Teixeira and Ribeiro, this elegant
rendition works splendidly as Elias delivers a heartfelt interpretation of the
songs. Elias notes that the chord sequence of both compositions is the same and
both melodies can be sung together simultaneously.
Whereas
the aforementioned compositions display Elias’ mastery at arranging and
interpreting Brazilian standards, other songs on Made in Brazil show her deft
musicianship as a composer and lyricist. Draped with a gorgeous string
arrangement, the yearning “Searching” puts Elias’ enchanting singing and piano
playing squarely in the center as she coos the romantic lyrics about the
affairs of the heart. This song evokes
the timeless quality of a Frank Sinatra standard.
Elias
picks up the tempo slightly on the effervescent “Some Enchanted Place,” which
contains poetic, optimistic lyrics and features guest vocals from her daughter
Amanda Brecker.
Take 6’s
lead vocalist Mark Kibble joins Elias on “Incendiando” and “Driving
Ambition.” On “Incendiando” the stellar
performances of Elias and Kibble heighten the romantic and sexual tension
revealed in the song.
“Driving
Ambition” equally simmers with an erotic charge, thanks to the song’s
titillating automobile metaphors and the sauntering bossa nova/Latin blend of
rhythms. Kibble’s background vocals are sonic brush strokes of imagery
perfectly complementing the seductive vocals by Elias.
The
poetic pop/R&B ballad “Vida” features the prominent Brazilian R&B
singer Ed Motta. Elias and Motta portray characters in a musical drama. Elias’
character describes what a woman wants in a romantic partner and Motta responds
to her as the man she is looking for.
Amidst a
magnificent string arrangement, Elias’ gorgeous composition “A Sorte do Amor
(The Luck of Love)” is a comely piano and bass duet between her and Johnson
that belies an empathic relationship built upon years spent together. Elias
explains, “The lyrics are a bit ironic. They describe a love so incredibly
intense, it takes away one’s sleep and peace of mind.”
Elias’
songs and lyrics on Made in Brazil
reveal the skills of a great songwriter. The intelligent, sensitive
lyrics, beautiful melodies and rich, touching harmonies evoke some of the great
songs of the 20th century and give continuity to the line of famous Brazilian
composers. This album establishes Elias once and for all as one of Brazil’s
most eminent musical artists.
“When I
write lyrics, I am inclined to talk about feelings, wishes of the heart and
life situations,” Elias says. “Aspects of love – being in a relationship; the
search for the right person; the search for happiness; romance; and the desires
of our hearts, while I amplify these ideas and bring another depth to the
message with the melodies and harmonies.”
Listening
to Made in Brazil and diving into Elias’ originals and fetching interpretations
of Brazilian classics will surely delight and fill your heart and ears with
soul-stirring joy.
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