Cartola

If your perception of Carioca's samba do morro (samba of the hills) relates to noisy, percussive grooves topped by poor melodies, this release is what you need for knowing the real thing. Cartola was one of the most important samba composers of all time. This is the Cd reissue of his second recorded album, in 1976 (he had recorded his first album only two years before, at 66). His lyrical "O mundo é o moinho" opens the album delivering its luxurious melodic lines. The progression of the album reveals in each new audition some hidden treasures in the rustic sophistication of a poet of the people. The richness and originality of the poetic imagery contained in his lyrics, unfortunately unattainable for non-Portuguese speakers, astound for its depth as a creation of a humble hill dweller. There are also uptempo sambas, but the forefront is delivered to voice/choir/trombone and the seven-string violão at the counterpoint, with the percussion discretely in the background. The album brings also, among others, his biggest hit, the immortal "As rosas não falam." A must have.