TERCEIRO SAMBA

Terceiro Samba is the reassurance of Mestre Ambrósio's project. Rock and pop are miles away, now, as if hidden in a dusty cloud. The varied Brazilian folk elements copulate ferociously in this highly inventive, musically rich, dance-driven album. Forró, maracatu, samba, baião, repente... the mix has yielded a thick brew, well done and nameless. One may dive into the groove, pay attention to the intoxicating percussion details, be taken by Siba's melodies on the fiddler or even trip on the lyrics. The signatures are ever more clear on Terceiro Samba. Siba is closer to the Northeastern roots, as noticed on the excellent Gavião. He also adds an Afro-Caribbean guitar to Coqueiros, written by vocalist Sérgio Cassiano, who wrote the pretty samba Saudade. Siba wrote a cool samba, as well, named Lembrança de Folha Seca. These are two nice surprises in one more album filled with typical Mestre Ambrósio calls, such as Fera, No Bojo da Macaíba, Espírito da Mata, songs that must please the fans. Not making any kind of concessions, the band go after a long term career. It would be lovely if the MPB still produced albums like Terceiro Samba.

(Silvio Essinger)