Beautiful Bossas and svelte Sambas form the basis for Toco and his sophomore follow up to ‘Instalação do Samba’. The sessions were recorded in Rio with production by S-Tone, and feature some wonderful acoustic guitar play from the legendary Roberto Menescal. His presence here really helps give the record a classic Bossa feel – there’s a distinct reflection of the true nature of the original Bossa beat, but with an updated style that keeps it fresh, without resorting to cliché’s.
Rosalia De Souza sings along on several of these songs giving this CD a warm, jazzier personality that plays well over the rhythm and horn arrangements. French chanteuse Coralie Clement adds a retro, 70's style touch on 'Contradiçao' a slow Samba groove.
Toco’s ‘New Bossa’ talents extend further than his voice and guitar. He has a real knack for writing pop songs with catchy hooks that encourage you to sing along. Classic, but with a contemporary feel.
These sessions were recorded at Menescal’s legendary Estudio Barquinho in Rio de Janeiro – horns were added in Milan by Stefano Tirone, aka S-Tone who is also listed as the producer of the album.
I’ve been saying for several years that the ‘New Bossa’ style represents Brazil’s best path forward as it tries to sort its way through the complex maze that MPB has descended into, and with CDs like this – and with innovative musicians like Toco to advance the music – the music makes its own case.
Toco, who wrote 10 of these 12 songs, is a relatively new face on the ‘New Bossa’ scene but he’s already proven himself as a gifted musician and song writer. Now the public just needs to start listening.
By any measure, this is an excellent Brazilian CD.
