Samba came of age in Rio de Janeiro during the early 20th century, nurtured in the city's 'samba schools'. Velha Guarda Da Portela are a group of veteran musicians from one such institution, whose traditions have long been transmitted orally. Aware that this left them vulnerable to extinction.
Brazilian MPB star Marisa Monte – whose father was a director of the Portela Samba School – decided to seek out, dust down and restore the finest songs in their repertoire, none of which had been recorded before. . . . It's to Monte's credit that she avoids the overcooked production that detracted slightly from her recent fine album Universo Ao Meu Redor. Instead, she favours a simple stripped down sound for the understated but effervescent acoustic arrangements.
Brazilian MPB star Marisa Monte – whose father was a director of the Portela Samba School – decided to seek out, dust down and restore the finest songs in their repertoire, none of which had been recorded before. . . . It's to Monte's credit that she avoids the overcooked production that detracted slightly from her recent fine album Universo Ao Meu Redor. Instead, she favours a simple stripped down sound for the understated but effervescent acoustic arrangements.
( John Lusk's BBC Review of the CD: " Velha Guarda da Portela the Guardians of Samba: Tudo Azul " )
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