MANGUEIRA CHEGOU

Even if all the scientists in the world got to think together would they discover the alchemy of the samba schools: how is it possible to turn misery into poetry? This album registers a meeting of rich personalities; people who managed to get the most (spiritually) from the very little material comfort that life gave them. It was made in 1988 by Japanese producer Katsunori Tanaka.

Tanaka traveled to Brazil just to meet Cartola, whose sambas he had listened to and fallen in love with. Only, when he got to Rio de Janeiro, Cartola had already passed on. Some of his partners were still alive, though, such as Carlos Cachaça, Aluísio Dias and other masters like Nelson Sargento and the legendary Babaú. Tracks like Vou Viver a Minha Vida, Mangueira Chegou, Meu Amigo, Violão and Mangueira, Divina e Maravilhosa appear in beautiful versions. There are also obscure Cartola gems, such as Pedi Perdão and Amor É Isso, both sang by his adoptive daughter, Creuza. (Tárik de Souza)