Encore
Arthur Verocai
2007
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Encore, released in 2007 by Arthur Verocai, is a work that has established itself as a modern classic of Brazilian music, marking the maestro's triumphant return after a long compositional hiatus. The album stands out for its rich and sophisticated fusion, which interweaves Brazilian influences with elements of American soul and cinematic experimentations, creating a distinctive and timeless sound. This work is a true sonic tapestry of samba-soul with experimental and cinematic movements, revealing a delightful, completely relaxed and fluid groove. Verocai's musicality, already recognised for his mastery of arrangements, here manifests itself in original compositions that transcend time, sounding as relevant and poignant in 2007 as those that would establish his reputation decades earlier.
Context
Arthur Verocai's trajectory in the Brazilian music scene is marked by a prolific career as an arranger and musical director for major MPB artists, such as Ivan Lins, Jorge Ben, Gal Costa and Marcos Valle, since the late 1960s. However, his self-titled debut album from 1972, although a work ahead of its time with its blend of samba, soul and electronic experimentations, was initially ignored in Brazil, leading Verocai to step away from composition for around thirty years to dedicate himself to advertising jingles. In the 2000s, Verocai's 1972 record gained cult status, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, following re-releases and appropriations by hip-hop artists, which reignited interest in his work and spurred him to return to creation. Encore, released five years after his independent work Saudade Demais (2002), emerged as the anticipated successor to his acclaimed debut, solidifying his return to the world of composition.
Recording
The conception of Encore was driven by Far Out Recordings founder, Joe Davis, who, after discovering and being captivated by Verocai's 1972 debut album in a record shop in Rio, decided to seek him out. Alongside producers Mark Pritchard and Dave Brinkworth, Davis convinced Verocai to record new material, seeking to recreate the exuberant sound of his previous work. The album was recorded at Studio Verde, in Rio de Janeiro, and featured a stellar cast of musicians. In addition to Arthur Verocai himself on acoustic and electric guitar, and in production and arrangements, the project brought together musicians who participated in his 1972 record, such as Robertinho Silva on percussion, and incorporated new talents. Members of the legendary group Azymuth (José Roberto Bertrami, Alex Malheiros and Ivan Conti), Ivan Lins and a nine-piece string section, with instrumentalists from the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, as well as a brass section, contributed to the album's orchestral richness. Dave Brinkworth served as co-producer and sound engineer, with mixing carried out by him and mastering by Pete Norman.
Songs
Encore features eleven original compositions by Arthur Verocai, which reflect his unique ability to create complex and emotive arrangements. Among the tracks that make up the record, "Tupã Tupi", "Amor Na Contra Mão", "Sucuri" and "Abertura" stand out, showcasing the artist's versatility and musical depth. The album features special collaborations that further enrich its sonic texture, such as the group Azymuth's involvement in tracks like "Bis", "Dona Das Meninas" and "Eu Quero Paz". The song "Bis" in particular, released as a single, was celebrated as a striking comeback single, exemplifying Brazilian psychedelic soul in the seventies style. Ivan Lins also contributes his vocals to the track "Filhos", adding another layer of expressiveness to the entire work.
Legacy
Since its release, Encore has been acclaimed as a modern classic of Brazilian music, serving as a testament to Arthur Verocai's continuing genius. The album solidified the maestro's return to the music scene, following the rediscovery and cult status his 1972 work had achieved, partly driven by samples from hip-hop artists. The record's impact led to its vinyl re-release by Far Out Recordings to celebrate its tenth anniversary, demonstrating the enduring relevance and growing appreciation for this work. Encore not only reinforced Verocai's stature as a visionary arranger and composer, but also paved the way for future collaborations and new albums, securing his prominent place in contemporary MPB.
Tracks
Credits
Joe Davis
David Brinkworth
Marcio Lott, Ronaldo Barcellos
Clarisse Grova
Luiz Alves
Arthur Verocai
Ricardo Pontes
David Chew
Dirceu Leite
Ivan Conti
Alex Malheiros
Alex Pilkington
Paulo Guimarães
Gabriel Grossi
José Roberto Bertrami
Itamar Assiére
Robertinho Silva
Ze Carlos 'Bighorn'
Altair Martins
Déborah Cheyne, Nayran Pessanha
Ana de Oliveira, Andre Cunha, Catherine Hazan, Léo Ortiz, Marluce Ferreira, Mauro Rufino
David Brinkworth, Ricardo Duna, Romulo Galvao
John Dent
Swifty
Peter Williams
Analyses
Encore | Arthur Verocai
arthurverocai.bandcamp.com
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, we're excited to announce the first ever vinyl edition of Arthur Verocai's 2007 masterpiece Encore. The album features 11 original Verocai compositions with guest musicians including Azymuth, Ivan Lins and a nine-piece string section.
Arthur Verocai - Encore - Blue Sounds
freshsoundrecords.com
Three months later and Joe and Dave were in Brazil with Arthur and the plans for what was to become Encore were being laid down. Seeking to re-create the sound of his first album, they invited in as many of the musicians who played on Verocai's debut as possible, including Robertinho Silva, Paulinho, Bigorna, and this time, the added bonus of all three Azymuth members, as well as horn and ...
Brazilian legend Arthur Verocai's Encore makes vinyl debut
thevinylfactory.com
Marking its 10th anniversary. London-via-Brazil label Far Out Recordings has announced the first vinyl edition of Arthur Verocai's 2007 album Encore. The album, which features spots from Azymuth, Ivan Lins and a nine-piece string section, was the follow-up to Arthur's eponymous debut album from 1972. Find the tracklist below. Encore "saw him joining the dots […]
Arthur Verocai - Encore review by perjs_ - Album of The Year
albumoftheyear.org
Arthur Verocai doesn't try to replicate the delayed success of his first LP, but to celebrate being Brazilian through themes like indigenous peoples, life in the countryside, the confusion of the city, all of this combined with great partnerships such as Azymuth and Ivan Lins!
O Retorno do Ícone - Rolling Stone Brasil
rollingstone.com.br
In 1972, Arthur Verocai released the ten tracks that would write his name into the history of Brazilian music. The self-titled debut album was disregarded by the Continental label and went largely unnoticed at the time.
