Quatro Grandes do Samba
Nelson Cavaquinho, Candeia, Guilherme de Brito & Elton Medeiros
1977
Why This Album Matters
Quatro Grandes do Samba, released in 1977, is an indelible landmark in Brazilian discography, bringing together the mastery of four luminaries of the genre: Nelson Cavaquinho, Candeia, Guilherme de Brito, and Elton Medeiros. The album is not merely a compilation, but an artistic confluence that solidified the essence of traditional samba, at a crucial moment for the valorisation of its pillars. It is a work that resonates with a timeless authenticity, demonstrating the lyrical and melodic depth of these composers. This singular work stands out for its genuine approach, which transcends conventions, where the artists, instead of following rules, reinvent them with impressive fluidity. The musical style is markedly folk-oriented, with arrangements that foreground the timbres of the guitar, cavaquinho, flute, and pandeiro, fundamental elements that, in the hands of these masters, achieve a rare expressiveness. The gathering of these "four greats" in a single project was crucial to fill a gap in the scarcity of phonographic recordings of some of these giants, offering the public a window into the richness of their creations and interpretations. It is an album that celebrates the purity and depth of samba, becoming a treasure for admirers and scholars of Brazilian music.
Context
In the year of its release, 1977, Brazil was still living under military rule, a period of cultural effervescence and, at the same time, repression. Samba, as a cultural expression intrinsic to national identity, continued to be a potent and resilient voice. Nelson Cavaquinho, born in 1911, was a legendary figure from Mangueira, already known for his fatalistic poetry and remarkable compositions. Guilherme de Brito was his constant lyrical partner, while Elton Medeiros, despite being younger, already had a respectable trajectory, having actively participated in the samba "revival" of the 1960s with groups such as A Voz do Morro and Os Cinco Crioulos. Candeia, in turn, was a driving force of Carioca samba, also a tireless defender of the genre's authenticity and roots.
Recording
The album was recorded at RCA Victor studios in Rio de Janeiro, using a 16-channel system, which allowed for a rich and detailed capture of the arrangements and voices. Production was handled by Jorge Santos, who also acted in artistic coordination and recording supervision. Durval Ferreira, a renowned composer of Bossa Nova classics, was responsible for the project's "creative direction". Curiously, the original LP's technical sheet did not credit the musicians who accompanied the four masters, a practice that, although common at the time, does not diminish the quality of instrumental execution that permeates the record. A notable fact of the recording is that Quatro Grandes do Samba registered, for the first time on record, the voice of Guilherme de Brito, a composer of rare sensibility who, until then, was better known for his partnerships than for his vocal interpretations.
Songs
The 12 tracks on Quatro Grandes do Samba are a deep dive into the poetry and melody of samba. Among the highlights are emblematic songs such as "Não Vem (Assim Não Dá)" by Candeia, "Sem Ilusão" by Elton Medeiros, and "Notícia" by Nelson Cavaquinho. The album showcases the beauty of partnerships, for example, "A Flor e o Espinho" and "Quando Eu Me Chamar Saudade", compositions by Nelson Cavaquinho and Guilherme de Brito, both interpreted by the latter with his striking voice. The lyrics frequently address themes such as destiny, suffering, and the nuances of love, reflecting the poetic and, at times, fatalistic streak characteristic of sambistas like Nelson Cavaquinho.
Legacy
Since its release, Quatro Grandes do Samba has been consistently recognised as one of the pillars of Brazilian music. It is frequently cited in lists of best albums, consolidating its position as a seminal work for samba. Critical reception was largely positive, highlighting the importance of bringing together such talents in a cohesive project and the timelessness of the compositions. Among collectors, the album maintains a high valuation, evidenced by statistics from platforms such as Discogs, where it records an average rating of 4.79 out of 5 stars. The record was reissued on CD in 2001 as part of the "RCA 100 Anos de Música" series and subsequently, in 2011 by BMG, with a booklet that included original and previously unpublished texts by Moacir Andrade and Tárik de Souza, respectively. Its influence is perceived in the continuous reverence of new generations of sambistas and enthusiasts, who see Quatro Grandes do Samba as a masterclass in authenticity and musical mastery.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Luiz Roberto
Durval Ferreira
Conjunto Nosso Samba
Jorge Santos
José Oswaldo Martins, Pedro Fontanari Filho
Mário Jorge Bruno, Nestor Vitiritti
Ney Tavora
Ivan Klingen
Moacyr Andrade
Films
Analyses
Nelson Cavaquinho, Guilherme de Brito, Candeia & Elton Medeiros ...
toque-musicall.com
Este disco é uma maravilha! Quatro feras do samba num registro histórico. Um álbum já conhecido por toda a comunidade blog-musical, mas que eu faço questão de apresentá-lo aqui no TM. Este lp só tem um 'grave defeito', não é um álbum-duplo. Num 'encontro' assim, bem que merecia.
Álbuns Que Mudaram a Minha Vida 7 - QUATRO GRANDES DO SAMBA (1977 ...
pt.linkedin.com
Álbuns Que Mudaram a Minha Vida 7 - QUATRO GRANDES DO SAMBA (1977) - Nelson Cavaquinho, Candeia, Guilherme de Brito e Élton Medeiros. Participação Especial: Dona Ivone Lara 1.
Discogs
Quatro Grandes do Samba – Discogs
discogs.com