Grupo D'Alma

1981

Why This Album Matters

Released in 1981, the album Grupo D'Alma, by the eponymous guitar trio, represents a fundamental milestone in Brazilian instrumental music, consolidating an aesthetic proposal that distinguished it in the scene of its time. This work is deeply centred on the virtuous dialogue between the guitars, exploring sounds that blend the sophistication of jazz, the richness of classical music, and the vitality of Brazilian rhythms, all with an almost pop accessibility that captivated a wide and diverse audience. The album stands out for the originality of its compositions and arrangements, which demonstrate a complexity underlying an apparent simplicity, a characteristic that became Grupo D'Alma's signature. It transcends labels, attracting listeners from various genres, from connoisseurs of traditional jazz and classical ensembles to fans of rock and African rhythms, encompassing popular and regional music. The aesthetic innovation present in this album positions it as a work of generational influence in Brazilian music. The album not only solidified Grupo D'Alma's reputation as one of the main exponents of Brazilian instrumental music but also offered a new paradigm for guitar performance and composition, evidencing the instrument's potential in a cohesive and expressive trio format.

Context

Grupo D'Alma was formed in the late 1970s, with André Geraissati, Rui Saleme, and Cândido Penteado meeting at the prestigious Zimbo Trio school, CLAM. The 1981 album, entitled D'Alma, is the group's second work, succeeding "A Quem Interessar Possa", released in 1979. At the turn of the 1970s into the 1980s, Brazilian instrumental music was experiencing a period of effervescence and consolidation, especially in its fusions with jazz. There was a vast and diverse offering of instrumental productions that engaged with various musical genres and cultures. In this scenario, Grupo D'Alma emerged with its guitar trio proposal, blending classical and jazz influences, and contributing to this rich musical tapestry.

Recording

The album Grupo D'Alma, released in 1981, was recorded at Nosso Estúdio and produced by the trio itself. It was released by the Som da Gente label. For this work, the trio's line-up consisted of André Geraissati, Rui Saleme, and Ulisses Rocha, who replaced Cândido Penteado. The instrumental choice was rigorous: the musicians opted to use exclusively guitars in the performance of all tracks, concentrating the sound and virtuosity on the instrument's potential. The album's technical production featured Marcus Vinicius and Wilson Gonçalves as technicians, and Nelson Proença as technical assistant. The original vinyl record included an insert with musical notations.

Songs

The tracks on the album Grupo D'Alma are characterised by their short melodies and complex arrangements, albeit with an accessible, almost pop, approach. The structure of the songs frequently follows the tradition of instrumental music and jazz, with the presentation of a theme, followed by solos or improvisations from each guitarist, and the return to the main theme. The album's original repertoire highlights the individual contribution of each member. Songs such as "Beije-me, Garota", "Surpresa", and "Super Relax" were composed by Rui Saleme; "Maria Thereza", "Um Dia de Chuva", and "Tudo Certo" by Ulisses Rocha; and "Prá Juca", "Lagoa Silenciosa", "Céu Aberto", and "Boa Noite" by André Geraissati. A notable exception is the track "Karate", which was composed and arranged by Egberto Gismonti, evidencing the group's prestige and network of collaborations.

Legacy

The album Grupo D'Alma (1981) is widely recognised as one of the 100 best Brazilian music albums, a testament to its quality and lasting impact. Critical reception at the time admired the trio's technical and interpretive finesse, which stood out for its innovation and ability to create a unique sound using only guitars. Its importance is highlighted by cultural projects such as Sesc Belenzinho's "Álbum", which invites musicians to reinterpret significant albums, considered classics for their aesthetic innovations and influence on future generations. Grupo D'Alma was invited to perform their first three albums in full for this project. The album continues to be valued by collectors and enthusiasts, with its listing in catalogues like Discogs, where it registers a high average rating and inclusion in lists such as "1001 Discos da Música Brasileira", solidifying its place in the affective and critical memory of instrumental MPB.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Arranged By

D'Alma

Producer

D'Alma

Acoustic Guitar

André Geraissati, Rui Saleme, Ulisses Rocha

Edited By

José Luis de Carvalho

Technician

Marcus Vinicius, Wilson Gonçalves

Technician

Nelson F. Proença

Cover

Odir Grecco

Books

300 Important Albums of Brazilian Music

Charles Gavin, Tárik de Souza, Carlos Calado, Arthur Dapieve · 2008

Conceived by Titãs drummer and musical researcher Charles Gavin, the 434-page book brings together covers and reviews of albums released between 1929 and 2007. The texts were written by journalists Tárik de Souza, Arthur Dapieve and Carlos Calado.

Analyses

D'Alma (1981) - Acervo Digital do Violão Brasileiro

violaobrasileiro.com.br

D'Alma (1981) 1981 Instrumentistas: André Geraissati Ulisses Rocha Rui Saleme Grupo D'Alma Tags: Trio

Grupo D'Alma - D'Alma (1981) | Órfãos do Loronix

orfaosdoloronix.wordpress.com

This is the case of Grupo D'Alma, presented here with Grupo D'Alma - D'Alma (1981) released for Som da Gente. Grupo D'Alma is a trio, formed by André Geraissati, Ruy Saleme and Ulisses Rocha.

Cliquemusic : Disco : D'ALMA

cliquemusic.com.br

Grupo D'Alma (1981) 1981 Som da Gente SDG-007/81 Faixas 1 Beije-me garota (Ruy Saleme) 2 Maria Tereza (Ulisses Rocha) 3 Pra Juca (André Geraissati) 4 Surpresa (Ruy Saleme) 5 Um dia de chuva (Ulisses Rocha) 6 Lagoa silenciosa (André Geraissati) 7 Nova (Ruy Saleme) 8 Céu aberto (André Geraissati) 9 Tudo certo (Ulisses Rocha) 10 Super relax ...

Cliquemusic : Disco : D'ALMA

cliquemusic.com.br

Loronix: Grupo D'Alma - D'Alma (1981)

loronix.blogspot.com

Tive o privilégio de comprar o vinil do Grupo D'Alma durante o show, em turnê pelo Rio de Janeiro. Resto imensamente agradecido pela oportunidade que o Loronix me proporcionou em resgatar uma pérola que havia perdido desde o início dos anos 80.