SAMBA GUARDADO

Justice is being made. Guilherme de Brito has long deserved a career album to testify to his talent as a poet, songwriter and singer without having to get back to the classics that he wrote with Nelson Cavaquinho, such as A Flor e o Espinho, Pranto de um Poeta, Folhas Secas, O Bem e o Mal, Quando Eu Me Chamar Saudade and so many others. Mythical Nelson almost shoved Guilherme away from the spotlight, along the years.

Now Guilherme presents seven songs written with Nelson that are either obscure or have never been recorded. One of them, Consciência, opens the album, displaying Guilherme’s sharp voice. The pretty Cinza features the characteristic fashion of Cavaquinho/de Brito sambas: musical phrases brilliantly simple, sad, with heartbreaking lyrics. Erva Daninha is quite like that, too, and features a surprising appearance by Cássia Eller, sharing the mic with Guilherme. Gems follow: O Bem Querer, Me Esquece, Pomba da Paz.

The old samba-tune Maria features Luiz Melodia’s luxurious vocals. Jogo Desonesto, written with Nelson Sargento, is another good surprise. Samba Guardado is a classic, already, not only for the quality of the sambas, but also for the production of the CD, cover, booklet and for bringing a the rare picture of the artist.

(Nana Vaz de Castro)