Anastàcia Azevedo
Amanaiara
Piranha

There was a time when Europeans immigrated to the Americas in large numbers. Today, it appears that the Transatlantic immigration has come full circle with several Latin American musicians relocating to Europe, Barbara Luna, the musicians of the tango ensemble, Gotan Project and several Brazilians come to mind. Of course, the question also comes to mind as to why would musicians residing in the Latin American tropics wish to relocate to Europe's urban centers, especially, when the stress of this fast-pace life is far removed from the relaxed pace of Latin America? Take the case of the Brazilian duo, Anastàcia Azevedo and Zè Eugènio who relocated to Berlin after the Berlin wall crumbled.

A life in urban exile led the duo to record two albums for the German label, Piranha, (Lumere Lumerà, 1999 and Amanaiara, 2004) that are 100% Brazilian. The sunny atmosphere of Northeastern Brazil shine forth on this collection of zesty songs that are ripe with polyphonic beats, funky bass, keyboards, guitars and Anastàcia's hearty vocals. You will hear some rock overtones on the track, Pè De Coco (Cocoplant) and other tracks along with funky beats, but this is certainly not far removed from the popular music of Brazil, better known as, MPB in which this duo honors along with traditional rhythms, Coco, Xaxado, Forrò, Baião, Samba and Xote.  Raios De Sol (Sun Rays) presents a moody lament with children in the background and sparkling guitar and keyboards, presenting another side of this duo's music.  And then O Rio (At the River) sets a carnival mood.

Anastacià and her life and musical partner, Zè emphasize that their Portuguese lyrics reflect on nature, children, love and their homeland (which they dearly miss) as opposed to the nightclubbing culture. Although you will hear contemporary sounds on this recording, such as jazzy organ, heavy base and funky beats, an organic raw quality comes through. These songs take its listeners to the sunny tropics and not to a hazy nightclub. You can almost feel the ocean waves licking your toes as you stare out at the sand dunes that exist in the homeland that this duo left behind many years ago.

The two musicians reflect on saudade which means for them a longing and yearning for Brazil. Even though this longing fuels their songs, they describe it as, "Saudade means longing and yearning and in Brazil (or in Portuguese fados), it means that even the saddest thing cannot be so that one can never laugh again. And the most beautiful thing can never be so beautiful that one can forget crying." You won't find yourself crying while listening to this sunny recording, unless of course, you understand the Portuguese lyrics. You might, however, use the word "beautiful" a lot to describe the feeling these songs create. www.piranha.com