DANIEL CARLOMAGNO

Daniel Carlomagno is the only member of Projeto Artistas Reunidos whose parents are not MPB stars. Thus, it is not surprising that he was the last one to put out a CD. In fact, what is surprising is the talent that was hiding in the backstage (he has worked as a gig musician, producer and technician), but finally, one of the finest debut albums in Brazilian pop is coming out. Like Jairzinho and Max de Castro, Daniel is multi-talented: he writes music, produces, plays all of the instruments, sings, writes the arrangements... Like Simoninha, Pedro Mariano and Luciana Mello, he is also clearly on the pop side, yet with some sophistication, which adds up to a record that is fit for either AM or FM stations. Suggestion for the listener: start on track 5, Pedra Sobre Pedra, an R&B song with an unpredictable drum machine, soul vocals and jazzy arrangement. It is followed by Precisoso Instante, another modern black music gem, featuring the ever-present rapper Xis. The set is completed with track 7, Jardim Sem Flor, whose soul package features elements from the finest melody makers in Brazilian pop (Cassiano, Dalto), samba-jazz and electronica in a well-concocted mix.

Daniel Carlomagno surprises on each track. There’s Djavan-standard baião-bossa-electronica (Um Querer), house with slap bass (Ela Sabe), echoes from Clube da Esquina in midst of a in-your-face pop tune (Casas) and 80’s flavored rock-soul (Inverno and Era Pra Ser). There are also less interesting tracks (Dia Triste, O Que Ficou, Sem Você), which, still, sound better than full albums by other new pop artists. But the artist takes chances while squeezing 15 tracks in one disc only because it is a CD and has more space. Not to worry, though: Daniel’s got it all.

(Silvio Essinger)