To most Americans, Brazilian music means one thing: the Bossa
Nova. But, as a growing number of Som Brasileiro fans know, the music of Brazil is much more. It is sensual, for certain. But it is also as exuberant and passionate as Carnaval, as mysterious and haunting as the rain forest, as sophisticated and urban as modern Rio---but wed to its primitive roots.
Weaving together diverse trends in Brazilian music, Som Brasileiro (literally "Sounds Of Brazil") has a voice all its own. The group embraces traditional Samba, Bossa Nova, Brazilian pop music from the Tropicalismo trend of the '70's (set by such songwriters as Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil) and contemporary compositions from Ivan Lins, Joao Bosco and Milton Nascimento.
While it is strongly jazz-influenced, Som Brasileiro's music also reflects the rich folk/traditional flavor that has made Brazilian popular music
unique.Paying homage to the music's literate, complex lyrics, vocalist and group leader Diane Marino sings the repertoire entirely in Brazilian Portuguese, the language in which it was originally written. With great floating rhythms, beautiful melodies and affecting chord progressions, this music is engaging and mysterious and it definitely takes the listener on a journey.
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