SILVANA MALTA: BE BOSSA

Stunt Records STUCD 07082 (2007)

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Songs

1 Tin Tin Por Tin 3:13
2 Adeus América 4:08
3 Retrato Em Branco E Preto 5:53
4 Samba Do Grande Amor 5:57
5 Bonita 5:35
6 Eu Te Amo 6:00
7 Jangada 3:02
8 Samba Rasgado 3:13
9 Canto Triste 3:58
10 Ponteio 5:16
11 Angela 3:23

Musicians

Silvana Malta (vocals), Diego Figuereido (acoustic guitar), Steen Rasmussen (piano), Rodolfo Stroeter (acoustic bass), Afonso Correa (percussion), Jonas Johansen (drums), Steen Hansen (trombone)

Produced by Rodolfo Stroeter

Review, Jazz Special Magazine, July 2007

"This is a singer who has found herself, and who now has to be recognized as more than a great talent. We have been fond of Silvana Malta, who after all lives in Copenhagen, for some years now, both recorded and live, but with her new release, she takes the necessary steps towards herself and towards the Brazilian music culture. According to the detailed material accompanied with the album, it has taken much consideration and some friendly shoves in the right direction from Rodolfo Stroeter, who plays bass and produces, in order to “dare” to take on Jobim, Edu Lobo, Haroldo Barbosa – not their most “worn out” songs, but the songs which meant something to her and to so many other Brazilians back then. A true musical treasure chest of gentle, longing, soft and melodious expressions sneak up on the listener.

The special ‘blue’ phrasing which allows you, without understanding Portuguese, to feel the wondering, desire and smile of the heart, much like what Ellis Regina gave us years ago, is now Silvana Malta’s own expression. With the five Danish and Brazilian musicians in both very loose and very tight accompaniment, the tones and rhythms change effortlessly, exactly as titillating as they should. Yes, precisely titillating.

‘Adeus America’ is a cheerful song, where the percussions dance for Silvana, and in Jobim’s ‘Retrato Em Branco E Preto’, a subtropical wind of colors are stretched out underneath the singers intimate words by the modest rhythm of the guitar. Masterful. Just like the intimacy of the production.

In one song, bassoonist Steen Hansen lets loose in a welcome, virile and masculine solo, reminding us that not all is submission of love’s wild ways. But then we get to a divinely beautiful version of Jobim’s slow love song ‘Eu te Amo’ and melt from this exclusive femininity. Wow!

It is time to be captivated by Bossa again – as some of us were in the 60’s – time for festive thoughtfulness, while longing for one more trip to Belo Horizonte, or one of the more quiet beaches. Preferably with Ms. Malta. And with Afonso Correa, the fabulous noise maker, in the background.

One objection though: It is possible to guess and visualize what the 11 songs are about, and that is in itself a luxury challenge, but I would like some translated lyric quotes as sort of phrase book."
/Henrik Wolsgaard-Iversen

Review, Gaffa Music Magazine

Outstanding CD from Silvana Malta, who while residing in Denmark continues to record Brazilian music at a high, international level. 

When Silvana Malta released Céu De Brasília in 2005 together with celebrities such as Airto and Toninho Horta, she made world-musical history in Denmark. Yours truly found it by far to be the album of the year. Now she is in the process of outdoing that feat with this mature salute to Bossa Nova. With this album, Malta has taken on a number of the more well-known tunes from composers such as Chico Buarque, Edu Lobo and Jobim. And she does it wonderfully, not at the least by virtue of a sublime orchestra, headed up by producer/bass player Rodolfo Stroeter, known for producing Gilberto Gil, among others.

The scoop on this album is partly the partially Danish band, where Jonas Johanses drums are formidable, not in the least his use of whiskers in for instance Jobim’s Bonita, where pianist Steen Rasmussen also strikes perfect tones. Likewise, Stroeter and the amazing guitarist Diego Figueiredo not only represent the Brazilian mood, but also keep it up to date. And Rodolfo Stroeter’s producing nurses Silvana Malta’s voice which is filled with familiarity and plenty of time to relish the moment and find ones way to the soul.

There is a wonderful intimacy in every stanza, and Silvana Malta simply sings beautifully.

Be Bossa is a sublime album."

/By Torben Holleufer

Review, EL OBSERVADOR De La Asturias Empresarial

Living in Denmark, this incredible Brazilian singer hasn’t stopped making very impressive records in spite of the distance, difficulty and longing that must accompany those latitudes. This is her seventh CD, and the plan she employs is convincing a number of excellent Danish jazz players that Bossa Nova and samba make the best rhythmic recipes. Working together, they reach very high technical levels of jazzistic quality, as well as in the elegance and sensuality of her singing.

Be Bossa is an attractive collection of samba and MPB (Popular Brazilian Music) classics that is produced by the great bassist Rodolfo Stroeter. He flew to Copenhagen and made, along side the great diva Silvana Malta, a delicious record.

/ By Miguel Á. Fernández

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