Eliane
Elias’ Made in Brazil 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 theLondon 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.
Vocalist
Mark Kibble, Take 6’s main arranger, sings with 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.
