ÉVÉ - Canto Aberto

Canto Aberto, the Brazilian Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) lost classic from 1979, has long been a holy grail for connoisseurs, not least because it featured on Chee Shimizu’s cult “Obscure Sound” book from 2013. Original copies have become increasingly hard to find, and this timely reissue on the faultless Komos label will surely give it a well deserved wider exposure. 

Recorded in Paris by guitarist and songwriter Everaldo Marcial, who had fled the country’s military dictatorship in 1974 to settle in France, Canto Aberto would be his one and only recording, made shortly before he moved to the US in the early 80s and quit music.

The highlight of the set might be the title track “Canto Aberto”, an irresistibly beautiful MPB tune which sees Évé duetting with fellow Brazilian expat Manduka on both guitar and vocals, but the whole album is a fantastic listen from start to finish, filled with standout tunes, altogether soft, dynamic and with a mysterious atmosphere all over.

“Falar Da Vida Alheia” is a percussive Brazilian jazz fusion grower which features African American Bruce Tobé Grant on tenor saxophone, and will no doubt be a hit with the most discerning dancers from Dingwalls to Beauty & the Beat.

“Os Ratos” is a gorgeous cover of Lô Borges’ “Trem de Doido” (from everyone’s favourite Clube da Esquina album), with Tobé Grant this time on oboe.

Elsewhere we navigate effortlessly between the superb MPB opener “Nego” and the dreamy instrumental acoustic folk of “Sala Dos Espelhos”, all the way to “Berimbois”, the closing song which features Luis Figuieiredo on berimbau and will no doubt be popular with fans of Codona and Egberto Gismonti.

Remastered from the original master tapes, the sound on this reissue is absolutely stunning, open and airy like a bright summer night. Essential release through and through.