Gabriela Pepino

Berklee educated Brazilian pop/jazz singer Gabriela Pepino has a unique sound. With a heavy tone and European air ala Edith Piaf, Pepino channels the sounds of American pop and soul music of the 1960’s, 70's and 80's, ala Taylor Dayne. Her debut album, Let Me Do It, provides an ample introduction to an enigmatic and powerful performer with presence to match.

Pepino starts out with "Let Me Do It"; a slinky jazz number build around a snappy bass line. Pepino's tone is a bit heavy at times, but there is an unqualified beauty in her voice. "If I Lived In France" plays like a grade school essay set to music. The arrangement makes it interesting, and the vocal is sufficiently refined, but the lyrics don't match up to the performance. Pepino steps over into a 1970's pop singer/songwriter style for "My Dream Is You". Pepino carries this off with a diva's panache, accentuated by a sparkling, string laden bridge. "Headache" gets a dose of Chicago (the band) style horns, and a soul infused arrangement. Pepino's heavy tone isn't as nimble in this setting.

"Dose of Scotch" heads back to jazz with a light swing that's airy and fun. Pepino's tone smatters annunciation at times, and the lyrical constructs are pedestrian at best. "Baby" is repetitive to the point of distraction, even wrapped as it is in a light and catchy arrangement. "I Don't Wanna Fight" is a solid 1970's piece of singer/songwriter pop. Pepino once again devolves into deep repetition at the end of the song, but this is otherwise a positive experience. "Unexpected" is aptly name, a lithe little piano ballad hidden in the Alvin's belly that sounds like a cross between Elton John and Fiona Apple with a solid dose of soul worked on. Pepino shines here, selling the song as if the story were her very own.

Marina Machado joins Pepino on "Deepest Shadow", trading and sharing vocal lines with an appealing natural chemistry. "Change" and "I Can't Wait" are cut from the same 1970's soul/pop cloth, and set up the blues transition that occurs with "My Blues". Pepino's voice is perfectly matched to the style and sound here as she takes a moment to shine. Pepino heads into the home stretch with "Someone to Light up My Life", the sort of long and languorous track that exposes vocal weaknesses and puts them on display. There's no exception here, as Pepino's heavy tone is not supple enough to work through the melody line without calling attention to itself. It's a nice song but a poor song choice. She closes the deal however with the sultry bebop of "I Just Wanna Make Love to You", in what turns out to be the high point of the album.

Gabriela Pepino is a talented vocalist with a unique sound. Her voice lends itself more easily to certain styles and sounds than others, a lesson that was not fully learned when she recorded Let Me Do. The album is nonetheless a positive listening experience with a few bumps along the way. Pepino has the sound and the force of personality to a major international force in music. Song selection, as always, is the key. - Wildy Haskell

Berklee educated Brazilian pop/jazz singer Gabriela Pepino has a unique sound. With a heavy tone and European air ala Edith Piaf, Pepino channels the sounds of American pop and soul music of the 1960’s, 70's and 80's, ala Taylor Dayne. Her debut album, Let Me Do It, provides an ample introduction to an enigmatic and powerful performer with presence to match.

Pepino starts out with "Let Me Do It"; a slinky jazz number build around a snappy bass line. Pepino's tone is a bit heavy at times, but there is an unqualified beauty in her voice. "If I Lived In France" plays like a grade school essay set to music. The arrangement makes it interesting, and the vocal is sufficiently refined, but the lyrics don't match up to the performance. Pepino steps over into a 1970's pop singer/songwriter style for "My Dream Is You". Pepino carries this off with a diva's panache, accentuated by a sparkling, string laden bridge. "Headache" gets a dose of Chicago (the band) style horns, and a soul infused arrangement. Pepino's heavy tone isn't as nimble in this setting.

"Dose of Scotch" heads back to jazz with a light swing that's airy and fun. Pepino's tone smatters annunciation at times, and the lyrical constructs are pedestrian at best. "Baby" is repetitive to the point of distraction, even wrapped as it is in a light and catchy arrangement. "I Don't Wanna Fight" is a solid 1970's piece of singer/songwriter pop. Pepino once again devolves into deep repetition at the end of the song, but this is otherwise a positive experience. "Unexpected" is aptly name, a lithe little piano ballad hidden in the Alvin's belly that sounds like a cross between Elton John and Fiona Apple with a solid dose of soul worked on. Pepino shines here, selling the song as if the story were her very own.

Marina Machado joins Pepino on "Deepest Shadow", trading and sharing vocal lines with an appealing natural chemistry. "Change" and "I Can't Wait" are cut from the same 1970's soul/pop cloth, and set up the blues transition that occurs with "My Blues". Pepino's voice is perfectly matched to the style and sound here as she takes a moment to shine. Pepino heads into the home stretch with "Someone to Light up My Life", the sort of long and languorous track that exposes vocal weaknesses and puts them on display. There's no exception here, as Pepino's heavy tone is not supple enough to work through the melody line without calling attention to itself. It's a nice song but a poor song choice. She closes the deal however with the sultry bebop of "I Just Wanna Make Love to You", in what turns out to be the high point of the album.

Gabriela Pepino is a talented vocalist with a unique sound. Her voice lends itself more easily to certain styles and sounds than others, a lesson that was not fully learned when she recorded Let Me Do. The album is nonetheless a positive listening experience with a few bumps along the way. Pepino has the sound and the force of personality to a major international force in music. Song selection, as always, is the key. - Wildy Haskell

"Gabriela Pepino does not hide her jazz and bossa nova roots. Her refined “Let me do it”, shows that she’s here to stay. “ - Rolling Stones Magazine Brazil

"Gabriela Pepino does not hide her jazz and bossa nova roots. Her refined “Let me do it”, shows that she’s here to stay. “ - Rolling Stones Magazine Brazil

“ It is amazing, how this voice that reminds me of powerfull african american singers, comes so naturally from this tiny beautiful blonde woman! Doesn’t look like it’s coming from her at all, it is fascinating! “ - Ronnie Von - Brazilian Tv Host

“ It is amazing, how this voice that reminds me of powerfull african american singers, comes so naturally from this tiny beautiful blonde woman! Doesn’t look like it’s coming from her at all, it is fascinating! “ - Ronnie Von - Brazilian Tv Host

We can’t forget the South American continent in this article, and this sultry jazz singer is bound to be a wonderful showcasing of the jazz coming from there. Brazilian singer Gabriela Pepino will probably attract an older crowd at her showcases with her soft jazz-tinged standards and originals - which isn’t a bad thing, actually. Damn kids with their fuzzy guitars don’t know music if it hit them! *Ahem* This former Berklee College of Music alumni has a polished nature to her performances and a sure fire bet to watch if you’re a music lover who wants to just chill out after watching other, more energetic, bands. - The AU Review

We can’t forget the South American continent in this article, and this sultry jazz singer is bound to be a wonderful showcasing of the jazz coming from there. Brazilian singer Gabriela Pepino will probably attract an older crowd at her showcases with her soft jazz-tinged standards and originals - which isn’t a bad thing, actually. Damn kids with their fuzzy guitars don’t know music if it hit them! *Ahem* This former Berklee College of Music alumni has a polished nature to her performances and a sure fire bet to watch if you’re a music lover who wants to just chill out after watching other, more energetic, bands. - The AU Review

It’s not often I venture into the world of soulful pop. The likes of Amy Winehouse and Duffy really don’t do it for me but there’s something about Italian Gabriela Pepino that let’s her strong yet silky smooth vocals pour into my ears that feels different. In fact her musical styles really vary from track to track making her a good old rounder for the family. She’s definitely someone you can make out to at night and still bring to a respectable dinner with grandma tomorrow… stylistically I mean!

“Let Me Do It” is by far my favourite track of hers and it’s available to download and stream along with the rest of her album over on ReverbNation. - Simon Smith

It’s not often I venture into the world of soulful pop. The likes of Amy Winehouse and Duffy really don’t do it for me but there’s something about Italian Gabriela Pepino that let’s her strong yet silky smooth vocals pour into my ears that feels different. In fact her musical styles really vary from track to track making her a good old rounder for the family. She’s definitely someone you can make out to at night and still bring to a respectable dinner with grandma tomorrow… stylistically I mean!

“Let Me Do It” is by far my favourite track of hers and it’s available to download and stream along with the rest of her album over on ReverbNation. - Simon Smith

The music market has experienced a keen influx of soul singers from the United Kingdom over the past several years, seeing performers like Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, and, perhaps most notably, Adele, flood the market with their signature fusions of old school vibes with modern sensibilities. And music lovers have eaten in up, buying up their albums in droves and launching a soul revolution throughout music.

Now, it’s another country’s turn to shine in the soul spotlight as Brazilian native, Gabriela Pepino, makes her Ultra Music Records debut with, Let Me Do It.
Pepino is no stranger to the music world, having studied at both Brazil’s Babaya Escola de Canto and the prestigious Berklee College of Music here in the States. She’s taken that experience and knowledge and has thus far parlayed it into a successful career that’s found her performing worldwide at festivals worldwide, showcasing her chops with genres as diverse as jazz, blues, soul, and pop.

Those are the very building blocks the artist uses to build her sonic foundation on Let Me Do It, drawing from what she knows while stretching herself as well, choosing to produce the album herself while performing the record in English, her second language, citing simple musical intuition.
“It was bigger than me! I've been writing these songs for the past four years!" she shares.

It was four years of hard work that’s paid off for the most part as Pepino delivers plenty of retro blues and soul backed by a stirring band. Gilvan de Oliveira provides the musical arrangements and plays guitar while musicians such as Lincoln Cheib (Drums) and Adriano Campagnani (Bass) provide plenty of skillful support.
Campagnani’s throbbing upright bass sets the tone early on in the title track and with Pepino’s first notes, listeners are drawn in. Her voice is smooth and sexy, the sensuous vocals wrapping around the lyrics with ease, teasing each note for all it’s worth, scatting along the way. “If I Lived In France” hints at some French elements with a lighthearted keyboard line and playful delivery from the artist while “Headache” finds Pepino chewing lyrics off and spitting them out with vigor, the soundscape classic soul.

Pepino’s voice shows some smoky notes on the bluesy “Dose of Scotch,” tasteful hints of saxophone lending depth to the track and “I Don’t Wanna Fight” bridges things into more adult contemporary territory, letting her vocal range warm up before soaring for the heights on the piano-driven ballad, “Unexpected.” “Deepest Shadow” draws strength from some moving strings and well-placed keyboards that lend an extra emotive note as Pepino duets with guest, Marina Machado.
“Change” moves things back into soul territory, horns and organ fills giving life while “I Can’t Wait” showcases some funky bass notes and solid percussion before Pepino declares herself even more capable of blues on the appropriately titled, “My Blues.” Saving her most prominent jazz roots for last, Pepino slips into her most comfortable, crooning effortlessly through the longing lyrics of “Someone to Light Up My Life.”

There are only a few missteps on this most promising of albums. “My Dream Is You” is the first of those stumbles, the soulful arrangement lost due to some muted production, a theme that pokes its head out at various junctures throughout the record, and a rather stilted vocal performance from the artist. “Baby” is the other downfall, the peppy piano fine but Pepino’s vocal just seeming to stumble a bit, her phrasing just not as sound as is found throughout the rest of the work.
Yet, two errors don’t erase the fact that Gabriela Pepino is a young woman with considerable talent and an old soul. She continuously conjures up images of classic soul singers, bringing a retro vibe to contemporary songs that blend jazz, blues, and soul together seamlessly. It’s the rare artist who can manage that and there’s little doubt that Let Me Do It will be the album to help propel Gabriela Pepino into that next level.
- Andrew Greenhalgh

The music market has experienced a keen influx of soul singers from the United Kingdom over the past several years, seeing performers like Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, and, perhaps most notably, Adele, flood the market with their signature fusions of old school vibes with modern sensibilities. And music lovers have eaten in up, buying up their albums in droves and launching a soul revolution throughout music.

Now, it’s another country’s turn to shine in the soul spotlight as Brazilian native, Gabriela Pepino, makes her Ultra Music Records debut with, Let Me Do It.
Pepino is no stranger to the music world, having studied at both Brazil’s Babaya Escola de Canto and the prestigious Berklee College of Music here in the States. She’s taken that experience and knowledge and has thus far parlayed it into a successful career that’s found her performing worldwide at festivals worldwide, showcasing her chops with genres as diverse as jazz, blues, soul, and pop.

Those are the very building blocks the artist uses to build her sonic foundation on Let Me Do It, drawing from what she knows while stretching herself as well, choosing to produce the album herself while performing the record in English, her second language, citing simple musical intuition.
“It was bigger than me! I've been writing these songs for the past four years!" she shares.

It was four years of hard work that’s paid off for the most part as Pepino delivers plenty of retro blues and soul backed by a stirring band. Gilvan de Oliveira provides the musical arrangements and plays guitar while musicians such as Lincoln Cheib (Drums) and Adriano Campagnani (Bass) provide plenty of skillful support.
Campagnani’s throbbing upright bass sets the tone early on in the title track and with Pepino’s first notes, listeners are drawn in. Her voice is smooth and sexy, the sensuous vocals wrapping around the lyrics with ease, teasing each note for all it’s worth, scatting along the way. “If I Lived In France” hints at some French elements with a lighthearted keyboard line and playful delivery from the artist while “Headache” finds Pepino chewing lyrics off and spitting them out with vigor, the soundscape classic soul.

Pepino’s voice shows some smoky notes on the bluesy “Dose of Scotch,” tasteful hints of saxophone lending depth to the track and “I Don’t Wanna Fight” bridges things into more adult contemporary territory, letting her vocal range warm up before soaring for the heights on the piano-driven ballad, “Unexpected.” “Deepest Shadow” draws strength from some moving strings and well-placed keyboards that lend an extra emotive note as Pepino duets with guest, Marina Machado.
“Change” moves things back into soul territory, horns and organ fills giving life while “I Can’t Wait” showcases some funky bass notes and solid percussion before Pepino declares herself even more capable of blues on the appropriately titled, “My Blues.” Saving her most prominent jazz roots for last, Pepino slips into her most comfortable, crooning effortlessly through the longing lyrics of “Someone to Light Up My Life.”

There are only a few missteps on this most promising of albums. “My Dream Is You” is the first of those stumbles, the soulful arrangement lost due to some muted production, a theme that pokes its head out at various junctures throughout the record, and a rather stilted vocal performance from the artist. “Baby” is the other downfall, the peppy piano fine but Pepino’s vocal just seeming to stumble a bit, her phrasing just not as sound as is found throughout the rest of the work.
Yet, two errors don’t erase the fact that Gabriela Pepino is a young woman with considerable talent and an old soul. She continuously conjures up images of classic soul singers, bringing a retro vibe to contemporary songs that blend jazz, blues, and soul together seamlessly. It’s the rare artist who can manage that and there’s little doubt that Let Me Do It will be the album to help propel Gabriela Pepino into that next level.
- Andrew Greenhalgh

The Berklee College of Music-trained singer, Gabriela Pepino hails from Brazil, but her musical influences are far-reaching. Gabriela brings a unique soul, blues, and jazz swagger that is refreshing and sultry at the same time. For instance, "I Just Wanna Make Love To You," is a bluesy tune with a sultry voice amidst a jazzy backbone. The laidback "Dose Of Scotch" is classy, jazzy, and folksy. "If I Lived In France" contains a bit of contemporary café music with a bit of French suavity that melds with Brazilian jazz and a bit of quasi-reggae. "Headache" opens with a few horns and glittering guitars with soulful vocals and show-tune-type backup singers. "Baby" begins with jaunty piano and a snare drum with blurby bass and a Regina Spektor-type vocal intro. However, the music moves into a more blues vein at times. This is not a typical Latin, Brazilian, or South American album. It contains a blend of blues, jazz, pop standards, and soul that is incredibly memorable and fun for everyone involved. Fans of great music will love it. It's that simple. ~ Matthew Forss - Matthew Forss

The Berklee College of Music-trained singer, Gabriela Pepino hails from Brazil, but her musical influences are far-reaching. Gabriela brings a unique soul, blues, and jazz swagger that is refreshing and sultry at the same time. For instance, "I Just Wanna Make Love To You," is a bluesy tune with a sultry voice amidst a jazzy backbone. The laidback "Dose Of Scotch" is classy, jazzy, and folksy. "If I Lived In France" contains a bit of contemporary café music with a bit of French suavity that melds with Brazilian jazz and a bit of quasi-reggae. "Headache" opens with a few horns and glittering guitars with soulful vocals and show-tune-type backup singers. "Baby" begins with jaunty piano and a snare drum with blurby bass and a Regina Spektor-type vocal intro. However, the music moves into a more blues vein at times. This is not a typical Latin, Brazilian, or South American album. It contains a blend of blues, jazz, pop standards, and soul that is incredibly memorable and fun for everyone involved. Fans of great music will love it. It's that simple. ~ Matthew Forss - Matthew Forss