JOÃO DO VALE

João do Vale can be fit into the category of poorly educated songwriters who managed to create the most stinging MPB. This album was originally released in 1981 thanks to the efforts of Chico Buarque, Fagner and Fernando Faro. His compositions have been recorded since the 1950s and Vale's peaking moment happened during the following decade, when he wrote the striking Carcará - incidentally, Maria Bethânia's first hit. But as the 1970s faded, Vale grew farther away from the business and fell into oblivion until this disc helped recovering his prestige. Tracks: Na Asa do Vento, Morena do Grotão, Minha História, O Canto da Ema (with Jackson do Pandeiro), Estrela Miúda (with Amelinha), Pé do Lageiro (with Tom Jobim), Pipira (with Nara Leão), Fogo no Paraná (with Gonzaguinha), Pisa na Fulô (with Alceu Valença) and the exciting Oricuri - Segredos do Sertanejo (with Clara Nunes). Many of the recordings are definitive.

(Rodrigo Faour)