Gilberto Gil - O Sol de Oslo (1998)

In his extensive discography, Gilberto Gil has explored almost every possible shade of pop music. In this album, produced by the independent label Pau Brasil (Gil is a WEA artist), he felt safe to shamelessly go back to earlier days, where his wonderful melodies were free of the artist's anxiety for fame and success. This album is a delicate collection of acoustic grooves (with a couple of electric renditions), with several different world references, ranging from folkloric chants (the researcher/singer Marlui Miranda is instrumental here), northeastern coco (the folkloric "Tatá Engenho Novo" is hot, swinging, and thrilling), cantigas ("Mana," folklore), xote-ska ("Xote"), new age ("Kaô"), modern ciranda ("Ciranda," beautiful, dissonant melody by Moacir Santos), rap ("Rep," excellent deconstruction of that style by the smart percussion of Trilok Gurtu), xaxado ("Onde O Xaxado Tá," faithful acoustic rendition), and the hot Olodum rhythm ("Oslodum"). There is even a traditional coco, "17 Na Corrente," which may be a hit in the dance clubs in its funk rendition with drum machines and brass attacks. Pay attention to the beautiful jazz-baião solo in "Eu Te Dei Meu Ané." Joined by excellent musicians Marlui Miranda, Bugge Wesseltoft, Trilok Gurtu, and Toninho Ferragutti, Gilberto Gil makes justice to his name with Sol de Oslo, which stands several notches above the average pop record. A champion of Brazil's African-rooted traditions who has scoured the vast backlands of his own country and the far corners of the world in search of inspiration for his constantly evolving artistic vision, Gilberto Gil remains one of his land's most enterprising musicians. His singing and composing career in Bahia, the center of African culture in Brazil, began in the mid sixties as one of the founders of the revolutionary tropicalismo movement. Tropicalismo, built on an eclectic mix of native and global influences, turned the conventions of Brazilian popular culture inside out and created its own language. Gil's quest for new ways to invigorate his personal take on the sounds of Brazil have led to Jamaica reggae, African pop music, R&B and rhythmic and harmonic vignettes that range from Amazonian backwaters to the posh clubs of Tokyo. Conceived and produced by Rodolfo Stroeter O Sol de Oslo was recorded at the famed Rainbow Studios in Oslo, Norway with Brazilian singer Marlui Miranda, accordionist Toninho Ferragutti (currently in Milton Nascimento's band) and a percussion section from Bahia. In addition to the Brazilian musicians, there is participation by Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu and Norwegian keyboard player Bugge Wesseltoft. Selections include three songs co-written by Gil and Rodolfo Stroeter and one by Gil and Marlui Miranda. There are even collaborations with the legendary composer and arranger Moacir Santos of an unreleased track titled Santinha Lá da Serra which was originally composed with the great Vinicius de Moraes and Ciranda composed by Moacir and Gilberto Gil. Marlui Miranda's contribution includes her adaptation of chants from sugarcane workers of the northeast section of Brazil. Among the other tracks: Lingua do P (Language of the P) is a song composed by Gil in which all the words start with a "p" and 17 Na Corrente a great hit by Jackson do Pandeiro. The CD blends the style and energy of the best of Brazil with top global musicians making this a unique melding of music. It is certainly the dawn of a new frontier for the multi-faceted, multi-talented Gil.



Tracks:

*01.- Tatá Engenho Novo
*02.- Mana
*03.- 17 Na Corrente
*04.- Xote
*05.- Eu Te Dei Meu Ané
*06.- Kaô
*07.- Ciranda
*08.- Rep
*09.- Onde O Xaxado Tá
*10.- Língua Do Pê
*11.- A Santinha Lá Da Serra
*12.- Ai Baiano
*13.- Bastiana
*14.- Oslodum




Personnel:

*Gilberto Gil: guitar & voice
*Bugge Wesseltoft: piano, keyboards
*Celso Fonseca: guitar
*Toninho Ferragutti: accordion
*Rodolfo Stroeter: acoustic & electric basses
*Zezinho Pitoco: drums, zabumba
*Marlui Miranda: guitar & voice
*Trilok Gurtu: Percussion & Voices







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