NOITES DO NORTE

Here is the good news for those who had been awaiting a follow-up for Estrangeiro and Circuladô: by the end of the millennium, newness is back into the realms of Caetano Veloso's music. In Noites do Norte, he's built up a very interesting group of ideas to guide his songs. The permanence of slavery as a characteristic of the Brazilian mind, as foreseen by scholar Joaquim Nabuco in the beginning of the century, has opened a wide range of discussion matters for Caetano, translated into the best tracks in the album, such as the title track (a text by Nabuco, brilliantly transformed into music), 13 de Maio and the lyrical review of Jorge Ben's gem Zumbi. Nonetheless more than this fertile thematic unity, what really makes Noites do Norte (Northern Nights) worth is the sound that Caetano has found, really different from his other albums. The opening track, the pretty Zera a Reza, couldn't have been more appropriate: the meeting of voice and acoustic guitar with the excellent drums of Cleber Sena (member of the group AfroReggae), percussion, Hammond organ and electric guitar is truly amazing - something that Caetano seemed to be pursuing since Livro, but has only achieved now, with this self-produced release. Rock'n'Raul and Ia, with guest appearances by Pedro Sá (guitar and bass) and Domenico Lanceloti (drums), update Caetano's music, bringing it ahead of Arto Lindsay, although not trying to sound foreign - and that will most certainly fascinate foreign ears. With careful lyrics, Caetano protects his poetic heritage. But what shines in this disc is the music. (Silvio Essinger)