In Sambadobrado, Manu Lafer has singer Graça Braga as his special guest. Braga interprets most of the repertory, which combines different styles and types of samba, written by the acoustic guitarist and songwriter.
Braga, a mature, unique and distinguished female vocalist, developed her solo career after her acclaimed participation in the Comunidade Do Samba da Vela, a community nurtured by the revered late sambista Beth Carvalho. Carvalho invested in the careers of the group’s intrumentalists, the ensemble Quinteto em Branco E Preto, and recorded many songs written by their components: Maurílio Magno, Paquera and Chapinha.
The production, base arrangements, acoustic guitar and electric bass are credited to Swami Junior. Lafer’s long-time collaborators — Sao Paulo “Professor” of samba singer Germano Mathias; the Bahian Mateus Aleluia, a former part of the famous act Tincoãs; and the physician Chico Médico — are featured as special guests, along with the legendary São Paulo percussionist Oswaldinho Da Cuíca, and international guests — guitarist Jack Wilkins and pianist Ehud Asherie.
The supporting band features Luizinho 7-cordas, backed by Henrique Araujo (cavaquinho, mandolin), Douglas Alonso (drums and percussion), Marcelo Barro (percussion) and by such guests as Fabio Tagliaferri (viola), Ubaldo Versolato (tenor saxophone and clarinet), Allan Abadia (trombone), Toninho Ferragutti (accordion) and Alexandre Fontanetti (electric guitar), among others. The backing vocals are provided by the samba specialist Kelly Silva and two of the best singers and composers of their generation: Verônica Ferriani and Bruna Caram.
The collection of sambas of different styles includes coauthored songs, such as “Milagre Brasil” (an excerpt from modernist Mário De Andrade’s poem); a version of the original instrumental “For Baden” (Tântrica, in Portuguese, or the English Just Wondering, a carioca and suburban samba in the style of Baden Powell); and “Brilho Interno” (which in a free translation would be Inner Brightness, by Guilherme Wisnik). Also written exclusively by the artist, there is “Sambadobrado” (the title track, a samba de gafieira), “Eu Vou Festejar” (a sambão, like those made famous by Beth Carvalho and Jorge Aragão). Lafer covered again, with new arrangements, his own songs “Cidade Inacabada” (a study on harmony, inspired by Paulinho Da Viola’s Amor À Natureza); “Amigo de Garfo” (a syncopated samba, dedicated to Germano Mathias, master of this style); “A Marias” (a forró, as requested by Graça Braga, whom the lyrics pay tribute to); “Nascimento” (a samba canção); “Você Já Sabe?” (a samba choro, formerly introduced with Dori Caymmi’s guitar arrangement, and inspired by Dorival Caymmi). Finally, there is “Quem Já Viu” (a samba de roda) and “A Lara” (a sambão inspired by Chico Buarque).
Lafer displays his commitment and love for the samba — a love he developed since childhood and throughout his entire career. The musicians are as exquisite as could be.
