aquarela, changes, bossa

Artist: Aquarela Album: Changes Year : 2008 Label : Universal Records

During the past few years, the Aquarela band, led by Miguel and Evelyn Juteau, established itself as one of the country’s leading acts for authentic Brazilian music. This effort culminated in 2006 with the release of their debut album, “Bossa Nova Affair”, distributed by Universal Records, a collection of bossa nova and samba tunes.

“Changes” is Aquarela’s second album. As the title indicates, the band’s music took an audacious turn: while Brazilian influences are still clearly recognizable on all tracks, this time the song line up comprises mostly original compositions from Miguel and Evelyn.

I simply think, bossa nova can’t be more beautiful than this. Aquarela captured all the main ingredients that shaped up bossa nova from its very beginning. You name it: sexy, exotic, capturing the fantastic breeze of brazilian beaches, beautiful and irrisistable. Plus, served in a cozy lounge-ish feel. Both of their album are aunthentic bossa, back to the roots of bossa elements that always loved by people across genereation. The songs delivered just as they are supposed to be served, nice and simple, and of course, ellegant.

Starting with the more familiar territory, we can instantly spot three covers: bossa nova upbeat classic “Berimbau”, The Doors sixties’ icon “Light My Fire” re-arranged as contemporary smooth Jazz, and a refreshing acoustic take on Visayan song “Usahay” sung in the vernacular by Cebu’s very own Evelyn.

The rest of the album is an enticing and surprisingly diverse collection of ten original songs, penned in English, Spanish and French:

* “Boracay (it will always be you)” is a soft fussion number penned in English by Evelyn, with a bonus Tagalog version “Boracay (Ala ala Mo)”, sung by Evelyn and jazz vocalist great Mon David, who wrote the Tagalog lyrics.
* “Samedis Nirvana” in French, features a thumping groove and catchy sax lines.
* “Sin Amor” is a Spanish bolero, with Evelyn singing passionately of an undying love.
* “Unicornio” is a bossa / samba sung in Spanish by Miguel.
* “Cancion De La Fregona” is a Spanish piece driven by hypnotic percussion, flamenco guitar and Andalusian drama.
* “Melisa” is an acoustic piece featuring Miguel’s meditations on our fundamental need for love, singing to a simple guitar and sax accompaniment.
* “Saint Malo” is a French love song about a town in France called Saint Malo.
* ” Melena loca” is a Spanish samba that was the highlight of the first album.
* Cita En Soledad is a Spanish song which means ‘a date with solitude’, expressing sadness with beautiful Latin-flavored arrangements.
* “Corazon Enganchado” is a bossa nova flirting with chill-out grooves.

The sound of the band has been enriched with keyboards, percussions and an array of wind instruments (alto sax, flute and clarinet).

“Changes” is scheduled for release in early December 2008 and is distributed by Universal Records.

Tracks:

1. Berimbau – Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes
2. Boracay –  Evelyn Juteau
3. Samedis Nirvana – Michel Juteau
4. Sin Amor – Michel Juteau
5. Unicornio – Michel Juteau
6. Cancion dela Fregona – Michel Juteau
7. Melisa -Michel Juteau
8. Light My Fire – Michel Juteau
9. Melena Loca – Michel juteau
10. Saint Malo – Michel Juteau
11. Usahay – Juanito Angos
12. Cita En Soledad – Michel juteau
13. Corazon Enganchado  - Michel Juteau
14. Boracay – Evelyn Juteau and Mon David
15. Samedis Nirvana – instrumental feauturing Dix Lucero on sax

Buy the album online at titikpilipino.com

Photos by: Arthur Manuntag, Wilson S. Chua

Log on to Aquarela’s official website at : http://aquarelaband.multiply.com/

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