Brazil – Page 4

Sergio Mendes | Lua Soberana

The winner of the 1993 Recording Academy / GRAMMYs for Best World Music Album, Sergio Mendes‘ Brasilieiro featured 14 tracks, including “Lua Soberana” (Sovereign Moon). The album featured American contemporary jazz musicians such as pianist Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets and rock drummer Jeff Porcaro of Toto as well as a huge slate of Brazilian musicians.

The tune doesn’t feature one lone modulation, but rather an ever-shifting harmonic continuum.

0:00 unaccompanied verse
0:35 A major verse
1:08 multi-key chorus
1:38 A major verse
1:54 multi-key chorus
2:24 transition
2:32 B major verse
2:49 instrumental bridge
3:23 B major verse

Roberta Sa | Pelas Tabelas

A performer of Portuguese lineage, Roberta Sá is one of the most recognized artists of her generation in Brazil. Her version of the classic tune “Pelas Tabelas” (2005) modulates twice (1:15 and 2:21).

Marisa Monte | Vilarejo

2006 saw the release of “Vilarejo” by Brazilian vocalist and composer Marisa Monte. A Rio de Janeiro native, Monte has sold 10 million albums worldwide and has won four Latin Grammys (among many other awards). The tune modulates several times, starting at 0:49.

Vanessa de Mata | Longe Demais

Brazilian chanteuse Vanessa da Mata, the winner of several Latin GRAMMYs, produced the track “Longe Demais” (too far away) in 2002. This laid-back tune features direct modulations at 1:01, 1:43, and 2:43.

Gal Costa | Nada Mais (Lately)

Here’s modulation from our newest member, Rio native Livingstone Ferreira: “Nada Mais,” a 1984 cover by Brazilian vocalist Gal Costa of Stevie Wonder‘s classic ballad “Lately.” Key change at 3:20.

Sergio Mendes | Pipoca

Like much contemporary Brazilian jazz, Sergio Mendes‘s “Pipoca,” composed by Hermeto Pascoal, is loaded with modulations. This 1992 track starts off with a tumbling, mischievous feel, throwing us its first modulation at only 0:16 (!) after a playful ascending chromatic run.

The intro sets the scene for key changes which continue to to turn on a dime as they arrive frequently throughout the track.

Elis Regina + Tom Jobim | Aguas de Marco

The 1972 Brazilian jazz classic “Aguas de Marco” (Waters of March) performed in Portuguese by Brazilian music legends Elis Regina and Tom Jobim (aka Antonio Carlos Jobim). The bridge arrives, bringing something very new along with it, at 1:48!