Aquarela

To review an album recorded by Paulinho Garcia is to be invited into an entire Universe of fragility and beauty. I knew this when I received a phone call from Garcia’s publicist a few short weeks ago, letting me know that the artist himself had requested that a copy of his new release was sent to my doorstep, for me to listen to and dissect it as I pleased. I felt both humbled and challenged. How does one find the fair combination of words to describe utter beauty?

Every single person on this planet should own a copy of “Aquarela”(Paulinho Garcia and Friends, GLP Music, 2016). As simple as that. These are traditional songs for children in Brazilian Portuguese, some of which I knew in Spanish as a child. The impact the soul feels when listening to the soft, tender pitch of Paulinho Garcia’s voice lights up the spirit of hope, love, and kindness that God gave us. This is an album to go to sleep to, or wake up to, or to enjoy while it is raining outside, or while the sun is high in the sky and the trees are dancing with the soft breeze. Not only every child should listen to it, but every single adult as well.

My writing ability escapes my very own understanding at times when I face reviewing a project that is so perfectly felt, and recorded with such humanity that it becomes almost a hunt for the right words - to simply try to avoid underestimating the value of this delicate gift to the sensitive hearts of the world. Let me try.

The voice of Silvia Manrique accompanies Garcia’s throughout the whole project, and together they create an astonishingly harmonizing delicacy of musicianship, all while re-inventing this selection of songs that where created to sweeten the lives of children – and that have the ability to simply transform any hour of your day into sheer happiness. Produced by the Brazilian-born, Chicago-based artist himself, and following his own arrangements, they have managed to remind us what love, life, kindness, and joyfulness are all about. Worthy of noting is also the liner notes booklet, with beautiful and colorful art and illustrations by Daniela Violi (I so want some of these on my wall!)

It is extremely hard to pick a few tracks on this album, to highlight the magic – which seems to be a very common so-called problem in all Paulinho Garcia albums! There is not a single one of these songs that is going to leave anybody with a pulse cold. There is peace in them, there is innocence, there are ocean waves on white sand beaches, and there are cloudless skies. Here it goes:

- OS Escravos De Jo – Opens the album with an a-capella taste of Heaven. The two singers know how to put a smile on your face. This is beyond sweet, and so elegant!

- O Pato – I insist, these track picks are hard! The story of this duck and the birds that joined him in this samba can only bring a smile to your face. It does not get old.

- Touradas Em Madrid – I am from Spain, so this was bound to happen! It surprised me and moved me deeply, and it is a small, simple song. And yet, they filled it with a kind of life that can never be faked. Marvelous.

- Aquarela – I could not - and would not – help choosing this one. If you know the song, you already love it. The classic written by Brazil’s songwriting dream team, Toquinho/Vinicius de Moraes, is brought back to life here with the respect and sophistication this timeless song deserves. You have to close your eyes with this one, and let go of all worries and all sorrow. This is a song built to heal the weary souls. Let it do the work, and simply enjoy the gift this song is.

- Acalanto - Boi Da Cara Preta – Last but not least, let me choose this striking and enchanting lullaby. The vocal harmonies are beyond words. Play it for your children, or sit down with a cup of tea in a quiet moment, and let it write a path to your heart.

The ones I did not mention are just as necessary, just as memorable, just as important- listen to “A-e-i-o-u”, if you don’t believe me! Just like Garcia suggests, “learn them, sing them, and be happy”.

A definite must-have, must-feel, must-love, must-share, album.

Don’t forget to pay a visit to www.globallanguageproject.org/music !

(Esther Berlanga-Ryan, April 7, 2016)