Lero-Lero

by Luisa Maita

Overview

You could say that Luisa Maita has Brazilian music in her blood -- not only was her father a noted vocalist and her mother a producer, but Maita was named after a song by the iconic Brazilian artist Antonio Carlos Jobim. Of course, none of that would mean anything if she couldn't deliver, and she does: the Sao Paolo native is a captivating stylist who, like Bebel Gilberto and CeU, finds inspiration not only in traditional samba and bossa nova but classic jazz vocal music, R&B, and modern electronica and dance music. Lero-Lero, Maita's debut as a solo artist, finds her striking a comfortable balance within those parameters without being enslaved by any of them. The sprightly, uptempo title track opens the album in a minimalist setting -- the sleeve notes explain that it's about "two friends from the ghettoâ?¦who have each other's backs" but even without knowing the story, it's not difficult to understand that there's a positive message within. "Desencabulada," which Maita describes as a "tribute to Brazilian women," expresses that pride as a bold, melodic, post-samba joyride, while "Alivio," meaning relief, is soft, sensual, and smooth, as summery and warm a tune as can be. Maita likes to keep things uncluttered and simple -- she generally uses few musicians in a given spot, keeps the acoustic instrumentation up front and the electronics subdued, and lets her voice go where it wants to go, free to be. The rhythms guide her voice, not vice-versa, and she's diverse in her choices, creating a full portrait by using different shadings throughout the work. Lero-Lero is a delight and undoubtedly a harbinger of even more satisfying music to come. ~ Jeff Tamarkin

Product Details

Release Date:	07/27/2010
Label:	CUMBANCHA
UPC:	0890846001176

Tracks

1. Lero-Lero [Hey, What's Up]
2. Alento [Encouragement]
3. A¿¿ Vem Ele [There He Comes]
4. Desencabulada [Wanton]
5. Fulaninha [Jane Doe]
6. Mire a Veja [Look and See]
7. Maria e Moleque [Maria and the Kid]
8. Anunciou [Declared]
9. Um Vento Bom [A Good Wind]
10. Al¿¿vio [Relief]
11. Amor e Paz [Love and Peace]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Luisa Maita   Primary Artist
Kuki Storlarski   Drums
Paulo Lepetit   Bass,Musical Direction
Jorge Neguinho   Cuica,Guest Artist
Theo Da Cuica   Cuica,Guest Artist
Rodrigo Campos   Surdo,Repique,Tamborim,Cavaquinho,Guitar (Acoustic)
Swami Jr.   Guitar (Acoustic)
Fabio Tagliaferri   Viola,Guest Artist
Mariana Aydar   Vocals,Guest Artist
Sergio Reze   Drums,Tamborim,Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Paulo Lepetit   Arranger,Engineer,Producer
Gustavo Lenza   Mixing
Rodrigo Campos   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Swami Jr.   Group Member
Carlinhos Freitas   Mastering
Luis Felipe Gama   Composer
Vinicius Silva   Assistant
Dr Morris   Composer
Joao Wainer   Photography
Diego Techera   Assistant
Tim O'Malley   Design
Luisa Maita   Composer,Producer