COMPOSERS: Gilberto Gil
LABELS: Pau Brasil
PERFORMER: Gilberto Gil (vocal, guitar), etc
CATALOGUE NO: ACT 5019-2 (distr. New Note)
So to Oslo, for an unlikely studio encounter between Brazilians and guests under the guidance of singer, guitarist and creative fire GILBERTO GIL. You will double-take when a bout of Indian syllabic percussion starts up: Trilok Gurtu, no less, plays subtle drums and tabla throughout.
This opening number is a tour de force of high-speed vocal cross-rhythms, and sets a ‘globalised North-East Brazil’ mood to spark a brilliant succession of original tracks, from soulful song (Marlui Miranda) to DJ techniques. The roots are always clear, and so is the message: traditions renew themselves or die.