More like this – Elza Soares’ “Lá Vem Você”, “Marcos Valle’s Marcos Valle
One reason I adore sophisti-pop is it’s sense of BREEZE. Albums like Lilas have such a luscious yet steady groove that I lose myself in a blissful fantasy of the most refreshing morning walk. It’s something about the way the glittery keyboards shimmer over the smooth bass and such shining, idyllic pillows of harmony. On a song like “Esquinas”, the saxophone gets me lost in the image of endless cities or candle-fit cocktail parties. Music for having an easygoing time, but the wistful way it frames the vocals leaves room for deeper thought in a sense.
I’d say the only thing that can enrich this further are some strings.. oh wait, they’re here, and they have a gorgeous way of flourishing into the arrangement just enough.
Well then, how about some Brazilian flavor? Evocative, romantic singers like Nascimento or Jorge Ben have just the right voices for this music. Having a past in samba himself, Djavan brings plenty of that, and the result is true ear candy if you like it smooth and don’t mind some subtle eighties-isms. (I don’t, of course.) As you may guess, the elegance of Portuguese language and the samba-like atmosphere makes a sound like sophisti-pop even more breezy. For one, “Obi” brings a bossa nova vibe and the album’s richest strings.
Moons And Melodies 