Universo ao Meu Redor
Marisa Monte
2006
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Universo ao Meu Redor, released in March 2006, is Marisa Monte's sixth studio album and stands out for its deep immersion in the samba atmosphere. The work reflects the artist's genuine curiosity to rescue and celebrate an incredible repertoire, often present only in oral tradition, which risked being lost. The album is focused, in Marisa's own words, on the essence of samba, exploring recurrent themes such as love, nature, music itself, the human condition, the singing of birds, the backyard, and coexistence through art. It features a careful blend of new tracks, some written by Marisa herself in collaboration, and re-recordings that highlight the genre's richness.
Context
Universo ao Meu Redor was released in 2006, simultaneously with the album Infinito Particular. Before the recording, Marisa Monte had already established close contact with Rio de Janeiro samba, particularly through her interaction with the Velha Guarda da Portela and research work carried out in 1999 for one of their albums. This initial experience deepened her knowledge and directed her towards extensive research into the genesis of samba and its oldest composers, such as Jaime Silva, Argemiro, Dona Yvonne, Casemiro, Moraes, and Galvão.
Songs
The album features an interesting fusion of classical and contemporary compositions. In it, sambas over fifty years old by authors such as Jaime Silva and Dona Yvonne Lara join more recent productions by Adriana Calcanhotto, Paulinho da Viola, Arnaldo Antunes, Carlinhos Brown, and Marisa herself. Two tracks stand out for their unique characteristics: "Statue of Liberty" features special appearances by Fernandinho Beat Box, David Byrne on English vocals, and Marisa herself playing the ukulele. Meanwhile, in "Meu Cantinho", Marisa Monte explores the sound of the kalimba, adding a unique texture to the song.
Legacy
Universo ao Meu Redor sold 250,000 copies in Brazil, receiving double platinum certification. Despite its success, it was Marisa Monte's first album not to reach the top position on the Brazilian charts, as Infinito Particular, released on the same day, debuted at number one. The album was widely recognised, winning several important awards, including the Latin Grammy in the Best Samba Album category. At the TIM Music Awards, Marisa Monte was honoured in the Best Samba Singer and Best Popular Vote Singer categories. To promote this work and Infinito Particular, the artist embarked on the acclaimed Universo Particular Tour, which toured the world between 2006 and 2007.
Tracks
Credits
Cíntia Carvalho
Mario Caldato Jr., Marisa Monte
Leonardo Netto
Guilherme Calicchio, Marcio Barros
Bernie Grundman
Andres Levin, Dadi, Guilherme Calicchio
Mario Caldato Jr.
Gringo Cardia
Books
Analyses
Universo ao Meu Redor – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Marisa Monte: Universo Ao Meu Redor / Infinito Particular
allaboutjazz.com
Marisa Monte: Universo Ao Meu Redor / Infinito Particular album review by AAJ Italy Staff, published on March 20, 2007. Find thousands jazz reviews at All About Jazz!
Marisa Monte: Universo Ao Meu Redor - PopMatters
popmatters.com
This album, and its twin sister Infinito Particular, have already both gone platinum in Brazil, so it's clear that Marisa Monte is still one of the biggest acts in that huge country. (My review ...
Turbula - Music - Reviews of "Infinito Particular" and "Universo ao Meu ...
turbula.net
David Fried's reviews of Infinito Particular and Universo ao Meu Redor, both by Marisa Monte.
Marisa Monte - Universo au meu redor, Infinito Particular (2006)
tabernanovostempos.blogspot.com
It showcases Marisa Monte's research vocation regarding the most traditional aspects of the music of her Rio de Janeiro, seeking old and unreleased repertoires in the same environment where these songs are born: that of humble people, who never studied music, and who composed "to sing to life".
