Omindá
André Abujamra
2018
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Omindá, released in 2018, is widely considered the masterpiece of multi-artist André Abujamra. This album transcends a mere collection of songs, establishing itself as an ambitious multimedia project which includes a "show-film", where music intertwines with visuals for an immersive experience. The work is a profound thematic exploration of water and its intrinsic relationship with humanity, seeking the union of souls through water, a concept reflected in the title itself, which in Yoruba signifies the junction of 'water' (Omin) and 'soul' (Da). The sound of Omindá is a rich and plural fusion, transitioning through pop, classical music, world music, folk, and soundtrack elements, with a postmodern and contemporary feel, also incorporating rap and other influences that characterise Abujamra's versatility. The album's beautiful melodies and enchanting arrangements, which celebrate diversity and communion, make Omindá a unique musical and sensory experience, captivating through its humanitarian message and artistic innovation.
Context
André Abujamra has built a singular and prolific career spanning over four decades, establishing himself as one of the most creative and provocative artists on the Brazilian scene. Before Omindá, he had already left his mark with the band Os Mulheres Negras in the 80s, known for its experimental pop rock, and subsequently with the group Karnak. His trajectory is also marked by a vast body of work as a soundtrack composer, having created for over 70 films and TV programmes, including notable productions such as "Carlota Joaquina – A Princesa do Brasil", "Bicho de Sete Cabeças", and "Castelo Rá Tim Bum". Omindá, his fifth solo album, represents the culmination of an intense period of research and dedication, being an authorial and independent project financed with the artist's own resources, which highlights his commitment to his artistic vision.
Recording
The album Omindá is the culmination of 11 years of travel, research, and dedication by André Abujamra, who journeyed through 14 countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas in search of artistic collaborations. The project was conceived as a grand celebration of diversity and featured musicians and singers of various nationalities, who contributed their local expressions and sounds. The album's production, which also expands into a "show-film" and a documentary, involved recording with the prestigious Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, comprising over 60 musicians, which lends an epic grandeur to the sound. The co-production and mixing work was carried out by Sergio Soffiatti, while mastering was handled by Felipe Tichauer, ensuring the technical and artistic quality of the work.
Songs
Omindá presents a repertoire of 15 tracks that delve into the theme of water as a connecting element and symbol of human existence. The lyrics, often poetic, explore the fluidity of life, emotions, and the search for inner "Real Grandeza" (True Greatness), with compositions that resonate like epic film soundtracks, such is their grandiloquence. Among the standout tracks, "O Mar" was the first single, recorded in locations such as Mykonos, Sofia (featuring the choir The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices), and New Delhi, with Indian instrumentalists such as Sharat Srivastava and Rishab Prasanna. Other notable songs include "Ocean Toys", which unites the voices of Sasha Vista, Ritchie (with a Shakespearean narration), and Paulinho Moska, and "Xangô Parô", which features the collaboration of Anelis Assumpção and Maurício Pereira, Abujamra's partner in Os Mulheres Negras. The song "Epílogo Omindá" closes the album with a lyrical reflection on the cyclical nature of life and tears that transform into pearls.
Legacy
Since its release, Omindá has been critically acclaimed, considered André Abujamra's "masterpiece" and a magnificent work. The album was recognised by Rolling Stone Brasil, which ranked it 17th in its list of the "50 melhores discos nacionais de 2018" (50 best national albums of 2018), attesting to its impact and relevance on the Brazilian music scene. The project's innovative "show-film" format, where the songs are presented in synchronicity with films documenting the international collaborations, featured at the 42nd São Paulo International Film Festival, extending its reach beyond the musical universe. Omindá established itself as a landmark in Abujamra's career and in independent music production, demonstrating the power of an artist who prioritises his vision and message.
Tracks
Credits
Sergio Sofiati
André Abujamra
Felipe Tichauer
Rafael Terpins
Aguinaldo Rocca
Mustafa Seven
Films
Books
Analyses
Crítica: André Abujamra | Omindá » Na Mira do Groove
namiradogroove.com.br
This is an elegiac album that transcends linguistic and aesthetic barriers. From Yoruba, passing through English, French, African dialects and, of course, Portuguese, the message is very clear: we need to break down borders.
André Abujamra - Omindá (2018) | cenaindie
cenaindie.com
Omindá, by André Abujamra, unites artists from around the world in an experimental album inspired by water and the search for unity.
Omindá - Rolling Stone Brasil
rollingstone.com.br
Just over ten years ago, André Abujamra had an idea: to create a thematic album about water. But, as with almost everything that comes from him, it wasn't exactly simple; the mission, given by himself, arose to bring together musicians from all over the world.
Hominis Canidae: André Abujamra - Omindá (2018)...
hominiscanidae.org
In technological times where borders become non-existent, but mental barriers still prevent us from living in unity, André Abujamra seeks inspiration in water, which also knows no borders. The work is the result of 11 years of research and many journeys.
'É a união das almas do mundo pela água', diz André Abujamra sobre 'Omindá'
virgula.me
His new project, Omindá - The Union of World Souls Through Water, is the result of 11 years of work and many journeys and brings together guests from various parts of the globe, who add sounds from their own territories to the music.
