Sol Negro

Performer: Virginia Rodrigues
Artist: Djavan; Milton Nascimento; Gilberto Gil
Producer: Celso Fonseca
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Virginia Rodrigues, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, Milton Nascimento (vocals); Celso Foncesca (guitar, violin, hand claps, percussion); Cristina Braga (harp); Ramiro Musotto (berimbau, percusssion); Guerre-Peixe Quartet (strings); Marcelo Martins (flute, alto saxophone); Mauro Senise (flute, tenor saxophone); Paulo Sergio Santos (clarinet, clarion); Flavio Melo (trumpet); Eduardo Souto Neto (piano); Zeca Assumpcao, Andre Rodrigues (bass). Engineers: Mario Possollo, Denilson Campos, Marcos Vicente. Recorded at Nastasha Records, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Includes liner notes by Caetano Veloso. Personnel: Virginia Rodrigues (vocals); Gilberto Gil (vocals); Celso Fonseca (guitar, berimbau, violin, percussion); Jairo Diniz (viola); Mauro Senise, Marcelo Martins (flute, alto saxophone); Paulo S�rgio Santos (clarinet); Fl�vio Melo (trumpet); Zeca Assump�ao (acoustic bass); Ramiro Musotto (percussion). Audio Mixer: Celso Fonseca. Liner Note Author: Caetano Veloso. Recording information: Natasha Records, Santa Teresa, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Photographer: Bob Wolfenson. Unknown Contributor Role: Milton Nascimento. Arrangers: Virginia Rodrigues; Celso Fonseca. Arising from obscurity, 33-year-old Virginia Rodrigues, who grew up outside of Salvador, Brazil, was introduced to the recording world by Brazil's popular singer Caetano Veloso. Sol Negro is an incredible album that mixes the vocal talents of Rodrigues and percussive rhythms of her native Brazil. To describe this recording as heavenly or hymn-like wouldn't be too far-fetched; the album's rhythms work in tandem to cradle Rodrigues' celestial voice. On the a cappella track "Ver�nica," she demonstrates her youthful, almost childlike vocals. With just as much ease as she sings a cappella, she can shift her vocal talents to a moving samba on "Adeus, Batucada." Appearances by Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento on "Sol Negro" and guitarist Gilberto Gil on "Terra Seca" showcase Brazil's wealth of musical talent. Rodrigues' first major recording succeeds in juxtaposing her ability to carry both lilting Brazilian rhythms and slow harmonious melodies. Undoubtedly her late entrance into the recording world will be marked by a fruitful career. ~ Cliff Samaniego

Rolling Stone (2/18/99, pp.60-61) - "...the soul on display here is that of contemporary Brazil, embodied by Virginia Rodrigues' extraordinary range and warm, solid voice..." Spin (12/98, pp.174-175) - 7 (out of 10) - "...This [is] Afro-Brazilian history as musical fever-dream--spooky, sexy, and expansively cinematic..." Entertainment Weekly (9/25/98, p.106) - "...On her debut album, the Brazilian vocalist alternates traditional weepy ballads with slinky bossa nova hip shakers and rubbery Tropicalismo jams that feature the cream of Brazil's musical royalty, including Gilberto Gil and Milton Nascimento." - Rating: A- The Wire (1/99, p.57) - "...Rodrigues' singing is imbued with an astounding lucidity and innate spiritual authority....a rare, raw talent." JazzTimes (8/00, pp.87-8) - "...A joyous expression of carnival spirit and spiritual appeals to the orishas...of her Candomble religion. In the mix are touches of American soul and gospel inflections..." Dirty Linen (4-5/99, p.73) - "...a stunningly pure and moving voice....[an] exquisite recording."

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