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Press release - oferenda
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This contender for CANDID's record of the year is an exhilarating, joyous album confirming Monica's status as one of Brazil's top artists. It is the stunning mix of shifting currents and moods, marrying the lyricism and passion of Brazil with funky modern jazz and contemporary rhythms that makes this CD such a standout listening experience.
'Brazilian Portuguese is such a melodious language that the mere sound of it is beguiling' said the Observer about Monica's unique voice, that has never been displayed better - her delivery of Arrastao, Ferrugem, A Olhus Nus et al set her in a class apart, together with her captivating takes in English on Bobby McFerrin's Thinkin' About Your Body, Banhos and the charming You.
Monica makes maximum use of the fabulous arrangements and backdrop provided by her musicians. 'I'm the front person, but most people in this band are writers and arrangers. When we rehearse, everybody shares their opinions' explains Monica. Production of the album was in the hands of ace keyboard man Steve Lodder and percussionist Chris Wells and there are innumerable instrumental highlights throughout. In particular the spectacular trumpet work by Shanti Paul Jayasinha (check out his down and dirty solo on Down We Go), flowing lyrical alto by Ingrid Laubrock, (The Doctor) and Ife Tolentino's priceless guitar throughout.
Zoio Azul, Morro Acima and Detalhes all complement the Brazilian rap of Xote Total and the happy abandon of Dance, Will You?
I bet you will.
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Hello, I was at thetford forest on saturday when you performed. I wanted to drop you a line to let you know how fabulous i, and my friends, thought you and your band were. and i don't mean that in a fifty-year-old-man-hiding-under-an-umbrella-because-its-raining kind of a way. My group and i are postgraduate students at the local university and being such crazy kids we were shaking our booties like mad down at the front.
I've probably lost my mystique by writing that last sentence. anyways, thanks for putting such a great show, it stopped me from staying in and watching Miss Universe on the tele, so for that alone i'm grateful. please feel free to email me back telling about any future gigs and the like. yours xxxx xxxxxxxx
'...a true ensemble, its energies derived from an eloquently conversational interweaving of instrumental lines, supporting the percussiveness of her voice, which has such a light, dancing quality (and a quick, clipped articulation like a string of vocalised punctuation marks) that she blends into the music's breezy shuffle as if she were a rhythm instrument herself.' - The Guardian