TIMBALISMO

This is Timbalada's eighth album, featuring quality axé music. It is also the first Timbalada album to come out on Som Livre through an agreement with Bahia Discos, bringing back the old drum/guitar/brass section formula. Sometimes, the group even sounds romantic - on tracks like Pensando Alto and Tim, Eu Quero Ser Bem. On other occasions, though, the carnival spirit rules: Cidade Voa, Delicatessen, Vale and Cherry are uplifting.Timbalismo offers an axé version of the waltz, João e Maria (Chico Buarque and Sivuca). The album is generally pleasant, but the lyrics could be a lot better.

(Silvio Essinger)