BELEZA - Madeline and Berto Sales
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"The harmony and melody is more bluesy, and the rhythm is more Brazilian" - Vijith Assar, The Hook Weekly
"Deliciously Exotic" - The Hook
" If you’re hungry for a little funk with your Latin music, Beleza is serving up something new. " - The Daily Progess
“Samba funk soul rock with some heavy groove to move,” offers Matt Wyatt . . . - Cville Niche
Genuine joy and exuberance are rare in recorded music. Combine these emotional qualities with savvy vocals and sophisticated musicianship and you've got the beginning of a description of Beleza Brasil. Time To Dream was recorded in Brazil but the band's musical choices reveal a range of styles and influences including jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues. The majority of tracks are Brazilian classics that are delivered with the casual confidence of long familiarity with the material.
The session opens with a lively display of three highlights of the recording: Madeline Sales's flexible, versatile singing; Humberto Sales's shrewd acoustic guitar playing; and the complex layers of rhythm intertwining below the melody line. Madeline shifts from tempo-to-tempo with uncanny ease and agility, emotionally attuned to the material whether it's from the pen of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Irving Berlin, or bluesman Eric Bibb. Humberto deserves commendation for his sophisticated arrangements of a mix of Brazilian and North American traditions; he is also the leader and the hub of this band, weaving the vocals and multi-layered rhythms together with precise and swinging guitar work. Throughout the session the rhythm section, often including an electric piano, is superb.
Highpoints of the session include Jobim's opening "Agua de Beber (Water to Drink)," featuring both the vocals and acoustic guitar. The vocals slide effortlessly between Brazilian and English, with some deft scat singing tossed into the mix. With their Brazilian credentials firmly established the band transitions into Berlin's classic "Cheek to Cheek"; here, Madeline's ease in shifting rhythmically into a swing jazz mode is notable.
Humberto's guitar sets the bluesy tone and temper of Bibb's "Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down." The track develops within an extended vocal/guitar duet, over effective and understated percussion and drum work. Again, the vocals are entirely convincing, demonstrating Madeline's exceptional range and talent.
Incidentally, Beleza Brasil could be translated as Beautiful Brasil, and the core of the band (Madeline and Humberto Sales) have relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia. Their Virginia-based group is on its way to becoming as good on stage as their Brazilian band is on disc. Reportedly, Time To Dream will be followed by a Virginia-based recording in the near future.
Track listing: Agua de Beber (Water to Drink); Fever; Chego de Saudade (No More Blues); Cheek to Cheek; E Preciso Perdoar; Influencia do Jazz; Chovendo na Roseira (Double Rainbow); Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down; Isso Aqui o Que; Chiclete com Banana; Mas que Nada.
Personnel: Madeline Sales: vocals; Humberto Sales: acoustic guitar, vocal percussion; Mito Cameroun: bass, programming; Edie Cameroun: drums; Aldemir Cameroun: elecrtic guitar (2, 4, 6, 8) ; Jeff Decker: saxophone (3, 6); Leonardo Barbosa dos Santos: elecrtic piano
Mike Neely
- www.allabout jazz.com
"... la pareja del momento..." - Carlos Teran from Nuevas Raizes, Charlottesville,VA
"... Beleza Brasil is a passionate, playful duo featuring classical guitar and rich vocals..." - C-Ville Weekly
"...It features the shining guitar of Berto Sales as well as Madeline Sales' gymnastic vocals, which are sung with passion in three different languages, something she finds energy from..." - Bill Kramer from Daily News Leader, Staunton,VA
" . . .hot, hot, hot . . ." - Cville Weekly
Beleza Brasil was fantastic . . .and PERFECT for our venue and crowd. Everybody was dancing and mesmerized by Madeline's voice. - Reston Concerts on the Town
"Beleza Brazil is sensational! Berto's infectious guitar grooves and Madeline's soulful singing work together to present a truly unique sound. Each song and each performance keeps you wanting more. Their energy is amazing."
- Jeff Decker, UVA Jazz Faculty - Jeff Decker, University of Virginia Jazz Faculty
Discography
1. 'Cookin' with Flavour' - Beleza's EP of funkalicious samba soul released in the spring of 2011.
2. 'Time to Dream' is Beleza Brasil's CD, featuring a Brazilian band and a combination of the rhythmic and melodic riches from The US and Brazil.
Photos
Bio
United by musical interests that include samba, funk, soul, blues, bossa, jazz and Spanish flamenco; Humberto Oliveira Sales and Madeline Holly Sales blend the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic riches from North and South America. Berto, native to Brazil, pursued a formal education in classical guitar. His knowledge of Brazilian rhythms and study of Spanish Flamenco add to the unique finger picking style he uses. Madeline brings with her the strong influence of soul, jazz and blues. She sings in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Her sensual, rich voice, playful interpretations, and strong stage presence make their combination extremely unique. They perform as a duo or with a full band, accompanied by Dave Berzonsky on bass and Matt Wyatt on drums. Special guests include Jeff Decker on saxophones and Eric Gertner on percussion.
Since living in the U.S., Beleza has continued to incorporate the influence of funk, blues, and soul into their unique style. The resulting concoction was aptly described by one fan as funkalicious samba soul. Their new EP was 100% fan funded and includes originals as well as Beleza arrangements.
In 2011 as both performers and music educators, the duo traveled with Enrichment Voyages (academically sponsored by the University of Virginia) around Central America, through the Panama Canal, into the Amazon River in Brazil, and throughout the Caribbean.
Links
