Marisa Monte Rose And Charcoal CD

Marisa Monte is one of the best figures of today's Brazilian pop (a category that does not comprise pure samba, choro, cançao, baiao, and other Brazilian popular musics). While most new bands and interpreters center their work on futile material and focus on easy formulas and clichés, she is concerned in really adding something to the superb tradition of MPB, which is quite a challenging task. This is her third album, where, with special guests Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Gilberto Gil, Paulinho da Viola, Velha Guarda da Portela, Época de Ouro, Naná Vasconcelos, Carlinhos Brown, and others, she delivers some of her hits: "Maria de Verdade," "Na Estrada," "Segue o Seco," "Dança da Solidao," "De Mais Ninguém," "Bem Leve," and "Balança Pema." One of the best pop albums from the '90s, she makes clear that she is after a new language in which the respect for the rich musical tradition of Brazil is evident. ~ Alvaro Neder

Recorded at Nas Nuvens, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and Skyline, New York between March and May, 1994.

Personnel: Gilberto Gil (vocals, acoustic guitar); Arthur Maia (vocals, acoustic bass, electric bass); Jorginho Gomes (vocals, drums); Carlinhos Brown (vocals, cowbells, tambourine, percussion); D. Doca, D. Eunice, Carlinhos Brower, D. Surica, Laurie Anderson , Arto Lindsay (vocals); Dininho (acoustic guitar, bass guitar); Nando Reis, Toni, Cesar Faria, Guaracy, Paulinho da Viola, Romero Lubambo, Velha Guarda da Portela (acoustic guitar); Celso Fonseca (electric guitar); Marcos Suzano (berimbau, snare drum, pandeiro); Jorginho Filho, Osmar Do Cavaco (cavaquinho); Ronaldo Bandolim (mandolin); Marvin Stamm (tanpura, flugelhorn); Susan Orenstein, David Nadien, Matthew Raimondi (violin); Lamar Alsop, Al Brown (viola); Fred Vlotkin, Rich Lockar (cello); Greg Cohen (strings, bass guitar); Valdonsi (accordion); Ned Rothenberg (clarinet); Fred Griffin, Robert Carlyle (French horn); Fred Hammond, Bernie Worrell (organ); Jorginho Gomez (drums); Casemiro (cuica); Celcinho Do Panderio (ganza); Jorginho Do Pandeiro, David Do Pandeiro, Argemiro (pandeiro); Milton Casquinha, Casquinho (reco-reco); Cabelinho (surdo); Manace'a (tambourine); Prince Vasconcelos du Bois, Vasconcellos du Bois, Naná Vasconcelos (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Patrick Dillett.

Recording information: Nas Nuvens, New York, NY (03/1994-05/1994); Rio Skyline, New York, NY (03/1994-05/1994).

Director: Leonardo Netto.

Illustrator: Marcos Martinez.

Photographer: Mustapha Barat.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Dininho; Carlinhos Brown.

Personnel includes: Marisa Monte (vocals), Carlinhos Brown (vocal, percussion), Arthur Maia (vocals, acoustic & electric bass), Nando Reis (vocals, acoustic guitar, bass), Jorginho Gomes (vocals, drums, percussion), Romero Lubambo (acoustic guitar), Celso Fonseca (electric guitar), David Nadian, Susan Orenstien, Matt Raimondi (violin), Lamar Alsop, Al Brown (viola), Rich Lokar, Fred Vlotkin (cello), Valdonis (accordion), Fred Griffin, Robert Carlyle (French horn), Marvin Stamm (fluglehorn), Marcos Suzano (percussion).

Rolling Stone (12/29/94-1/12/95, p.182) - "...From samba to forro to avant-garde rock...[ROSE AND CHARCOAL] is a must listen for anyone interested in what makes Brazilian pop tick..."
Q (12/94, p.136) - 3 Stars - Good - "...one of Brazil's top artists...The mood is largely seductive, with effortless vocals and acoustic guitars threatening to melt the packaging..."