ELIANE ELIAS’ MADE IN BRAZIL MARKS A MUSICAL
HOMECOMING FOR GRAMMY®-WINNING
PIANIST/KEYBOARDIST/SINGER/COMPOSER/ARRANGER
March 31st release features Take 6, guitarist/vocalist Roberto Menescal and
vocalists Mark Kibble and Ed Motta, with seven orchestral arrangements by
Rob Mathes recorded at Abbey Road Studios
For Immediate Release – Eliane Elias’ Made in Brazil, released on March 31, 2015 on Concord
Jazz, marks a musical homecoming for the GRAMMY®-winning pianist/keyboardist/singer/
composer. In her three-decade long career as a solo artist, it results from the first time she’s
recorded a disc in her native Brazil since moving to the United States in 1981. On February 15,
2016, Made in Brazil was awarded a GRAMMY® in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album.
Elias wears many hats on this project as producer, composer, lyricist, arranger, pianist and
vocalist. “I am completely immersed and involved in every single detail of the music and the
recording process, from the birth of an idea until its completion through every aspect of the
production until it reaches the public,” she explains.
Along with co-producers, Steve Rodby and Marc Johnson, her bass playing musical partner,
Elias ventured ‘home’ and recruited a splendid cast of Brazilian musicians that include electric
bassist Marcelo Mariano; guitarists Marcus Teixeira and Roberto Menescal; drummers Edu
Ribeiro and Rafael Barata; and percussionists Mauro Refosco and Marivaldo dos Santos.
Elias peppered the sessions with delightful special guest performances from Mark Kibble and
the multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel vocal group Take 6; her singer/songwriterdaughter Amanda Brecker; one of Brazil’s most celebrated R&B stars, Ed Motta; and the
distinguished bossa nova composer Roberto Menescal.
Elias also invited Rob Mathes to handle orchestral arrangements on seven of the 12 tracks,
which were recorded in London at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. “It’s so touching to hear
the music unfold,” she says of the orchestral arrangements after they were overdubbed onto the
São Paulo sessions. “You can see the musical notes on paper, but it’s something else to hear them
realized and performed by orchestral musicians.”
In terms of material, Made in Brazil contains six Elias originals plus two Ary Barroso standards,
two Roberto Menescal chestnuts, and two Antônio Carlos Jobim world-renowned gems. Elias,
who did all the arrangements for the basic tracks, said that she purposely wanted Made in Brazil
to incorporate three generations of Brazilian composers. “But it’s not a retro record,” she
clarifies. “It’s very contemporary yet with the tradition and authenticity of Brazil; it’s music of
the world with Brazilian DNA.”
Indeed, Made in Brazil’s pulsating bossa nova and samba rhythms, transfixing harmonies and
sensual lyrics, accentuated by Elias’ own captivating vocals and incredible pianistic acumen, will
surely become a 21st-century Brazilian classic. Elias frames the disc with two Barroso gems –
“Brasil (Aquarela do Brasil)” and “No Tabuleiro da Baiana.”
“Brasil,” penned in 1939, “is a Brazilian anthem,” enthuses Elias. “It’s reported to be the most
preferred Brazilian song of the last 100 years. It’s about the beautiful things of our country, the
Brazilian Brazil; its natural beauty, mixed ethnic cultures and the samba.” Here she accentuates
the composition with a suspenseful diaphanous string arrangement, whereas Elias and the band
concoct an intoxicating, lithe groove. Atop of the infectious samba rhythm, Elias graces the
proceeding with a glowing Fender Rhodes accompaniment, which later unfolds into a joyous and
rhythmic solo.
Barroso wrote “No Tabuleiro da Baiana,” in 1936, which was made famous by singer Carmen
Miranda. Through the song’s theme about a tabuleiro, a tray filled with edible treats typical of
Bahia, Elias says that her rendition allows her to share her affection for that particular Brazilian
state. “I love the culture; I love the people; I love the music; and I love the food,” Elias says.”
I’ve been in love with Bahia all my life.” On her delightful rendition, Elias hammers the samba
with harder, percussive accents via her vivacious piano playing inside some hip-swerving
inducing accompaniment while her dexterous vocal rides and swings on top.
On “Você” and “Rio,” Elias invites the songs’ composer, Roberto Menescal, to accompany on
guitar. On “Você,” the two sound like lovebirds on the 1963 bossa nova hit as they croon the
romantic lyrics while the string arrangement sweeps them afloat. Elias’ impeccable piano
accompaniment and sparkling improvisation provide the perfect musical trimming.
On “Rio,” which also dates back to 1963, Elias retains the same lineup as she sings the song’s
elegant lyrics about the beauty of a seaside landscape while creating beautiful modulations and
colors through her harmonies. “It was special to have the composer be a guest,” Elias says of her
collaboration with Menescal. “We shared some very tender moments.”
As a bonus track, Elias delivers a rapturous makeover of Menescal’s most beloved composition,
“Little Boat (O Barquinho),” yet another aquatic-themed showcase for Elias’ incredible musical
rapport with Johnson and Barata. Elias’ ingenious arrangement at times evokes the motion of a
boat floating and moving through waves.
Regarding Jobim, Elias performs his epochal “Águas de Março (Waters of March),” which she
notes is the most covered Brazilian tune in the world.” Through the song’s picturesque, stream-
of-consciousness lyrics, Elias puts a new spin on the song’s allure with her R&B-inflected midtempo arrangement, and by inviting Take 6 to sing with her. Elias’ arrangement is a completely
fresh take on the song, and her vocals combined with Take 6 are splendid. “Ironically, when
Jobim wrote this song in 1972, he thought he had reached the end of his career,” Elias explains.
“The lyrics talk about being at the end of the road, about being alone, but the song’s message
ultimately is optimistic and carries hope.”
Elias’ other revisit of Jobim’s music on Made in Brazil illustrates her capricious yet musical
ingenuity. She delivers a sublime mashup of Jobim’s “Este Seu Olhar” and “Promessas.”
Accompanied by Johnson, Teixeira and Ribeiro, this elegant rendition works splendidly as Elias
delivers a heartfelt interpretation of the songs. Elias notes that the chord sequence of both
compositions is the same and both melodies can be sung together simultaneously.
Whereas the aforementioned compositions display Elias’ mastery at arranging and interpreting
Brazilian standards, other songs on Made in Brazil show her deft musicianship as a composer
and lyricist. Draped with a gorgeous string arrangement, the yearning “Searching” puts Elias’
enchanting singing and piano playing squarely in the center as she coos the romantic lyrics about
the affairs of the heart. This song evokes the timeless quality of a Frank Sinatra standard.
Elias picks up the tempo slightly on the effervescent “Some Enchanted Place,” which contains
poetic, optimistic lyrics and features guest vocals from her daughter Amanda Brecker.
Vocalist Mark Kibble, Take 6’s main arranger, sings with Elias on “Incendiando” and “Driving
Ambition.” On “Incendiando” the stellar performances of Elias and Kibble heighten the
romantic and sexual tension revealed in the song.
“Driving Ambition” equally simmers with an erotic charge, thanks to the song’s titillating
automobile metaphors and the sauntering bossa nova/Latin blend of rhythms. Kibble’s
background vocals are sonic brush strokes of imagery perfectly complementing the seductive
vocals by Elias.
The poetic pop/R&B ballad “Vida” features the prominent Brazilian R&B singer Ed Motta. Elias
and Motta portray characters in a musical drama. Elias’ character describes what a woman wants
in a romantic partner and Motta responds to her as the man she is looking for.
Amidst a magnificent string arrangement, Elias’ gorgeous composition “A Sorte do Amor (The
Luck of Love)” is a comely piano and bass duet between her and Johnson that belies an empathic
relationship built upon years spent together. Elias explains, “The lyrics are a bit ironic. They
describe a love so incredibly intense, it takes away one’s sleep and peace of mind.”
Elias’ songs and lyrics on Made in Brazil reveal the skills of a great songwriter. The intelligent,
sensitive lyrics, beautiful melodies and rich, touching harmonies evoke some of the great songs
of the 20th century and give continuity to the line of famous Brazilian composers. This album
establishes Elias once and for all as one of Brazil’s most eminent musical artists.
“When I write lyrics, I am inclined to talk about feelings, wishes of the heart and life situations,”
Elias says. “Aspects of love – being in a relationship; the search for the right person; the search
for happiness; romance; and the desires of our hearts, while I amplify these ideas and bring
another depth to the message with the melodies and harmonies.”
Listening to Made in Brazil and diving into Elias’ originals and fetching interpretations of
Brazilian classics will surely delight and fill your heart and ears with soul-stirring joy.
For more information:
Mike Wilpizeski at 718-459-2117
Mike.Wilpizeski@concordmusicgroup.com
Downloadable Images, Profile, Press Release & Album Art Available At:
http://mediakits.concordmusicgroup.com/p/made-in-brazil/