Caetano Veloso, now 70 years old, is now not only the most extraordinary artist to come out of Latin America but can also be safely placed alongside Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson as a real icon of pop-rock culture.
“Abraçaço” is the last part of a trilogy that began in 2006, produced by his son Moreno and played with the Banda Çe, a trio of young, exciting musicians that represent the new Brasil, accepting their own rock influences (Radiohead, Vampire Weekend) and using them to re-interpret the musical heritage of a country where music is too often driven by stereotypes.
Veloso’s aim is clear: electrifying samba and distorting the melodies without voiding them of their nature. On “Abraçaço” though the rock slant that had characterised the previous two releases is less prominent, coming up only in the brief solos of the guitarist Pedro Sà.
Veloso’s voice maintains its magic, as if time had never passed, and fans of his more intimate productions will rejoice in tracks like “Vinco” and the sweet “Quando o galo cantou”. His political conscience still comes through with the track “Um comunista” which is based on the life of Carlos Marighella, a leader in the fight against the military regime that reigned in Brasil in 1964 and that caused Veloso’s exile.
At his 49th release, Caetano Veloso with “Abraçaço” gives us yet another reason to explore and re-discover his music, never failing to move or surprise us.
TRACKLIST:
“A Bossa Nova é foda”
“Um Abraçaço”
“Estou triste”
“O império da lei”
“Quero ser justo”
“Um comunista”
“Funk melódico”
“Vinco”
“Quando o galo cantou”
“Parabéns”
“Gayana”
4.0
