Dil Fonseca
Marubá
Independent

Masterful song writer and performer, Dil Fonseca is one of those voices you cannot forget. With songs dealing with nature, social themes and love, the musical world of Dil Fonseca is full of intricate harmonies and outstanding lyrics. His independent debut release is a strong statement about the quality music of Brazil. With each listening - and you will be playing this CD over and over - new discoveries emerge, new sounds captivate you.

In the language of the Brazilian Waimiri-Atroari natives, Marubá means celebration, party. Marubá is indeed a celebration of joy, passion, and simplicity. The diverse range of emotions and textures is aptly presented in twelve original songs, mostly all written by Dil Fonseca alone. In two of those tracks, Bobagem (Nonsense) and Boreste (Idly), his collaborator is Marcos Sacramento, who also shares vocals in Boreste. Another guest vocalist is Rita Peixoto's strong voice in Nau do Amor (Vessel of Love).

The album opens with the entrancing and mystifying title track. There is a certain calmness in Dil's guitar accompaniment and Antonio Saraiva's and Alexandre Bittencourt's flute solos. Peace and harmony abound in this song about traveling down a river, gathering food, preparing for a celebration. When the chorus adds its vocals, Marubá explodes with life. In contrast to nature, the megalopolis of São Paulo is featured in Paulo. Here Dil explores the beauty that many seem to miss when writing about São Paulo. The historical neighborhoods, the ethnic composition, the busy avenues - all is present in this beautiful waltz. As a prelude to another song, in Paulo Dil makes reference to two other Brazilian classics honoring São Paulo: Caetano Veloso's Sampa and Paulo Vanzolini's Ronda. The innocence of Os Meninos da Rua (The Boys in the Street) is another tender moment of this album. The reggae-like Boreste sets the tone for the contagious samba Sambeto, a clever and humorous look at the influence of samba in Dil's musical upbringing.

Dil is overwhelming and enrapturing in his art. He can be complex without losing objectivity, simple without being banal. And just when you think you have heard it all, Dil mesmerizes you with the instrumental Pedal. The closing track, Nu (Naked), features just Dil's guitar and voice. What an amazing tune that is, and what a gorgeous performance. An accomplished guitarist and song writer, Dil Fonseca is a treasure waiting to be explored. You can preview and order this wonderful CD at Dil's web site.

Copyright © 2000 Egídio Leitão