Som Definitivo

Quarteto em Cy & Tamba Trio

1966

Cover of Som Definitivo
Top 100

Why This Album Matters

Som Definitivo, released in 1966 by Quarteto em Cy and Tamba Trio, is a true masterpiece of Brazilian popular music, notable for its masterful fusion of genres. The album combines the melodic sophistication of bossa nova with the rhythmic freedom of jazz and the rich sounds of Brazilian ancestry, creating a unique and timeless sound. This remarkable encounter of talents results in a septet with an impeccable sound, where the phenomenal vocal harmonies of Quarteto em Cy intertwine perfectly with the virtuosic instrumentation of Tamba Trio. The album is a testament to the inventiveness and refinement of MPB at its peak, cementing its place as an essential album for any admirer of Brazilian music.

Context

Released in 1966, Som Definitivo emerged during a period of great musical effervescence in Brazil. Quarteto em Cy, formed in 1964 by sisters Cybele, Cyva, Cylene and Cynara, had already released their debut album and participated in other important projects before this work. Tamba Trio, comprising Luiz Eça (piano, vocals and arrangements), Bebeto Castilho (double bass, flute, sax and vocals) and Hélcio Milito (drums, percussion and vocals), was already a consolidated name on the music scene, known for its innovative approach to bossa nova and jazz. The union of these two groups represented the meeting of some of the greatest talents in Brazilian music of that era.

Recording

The album Som Definitivo was recorded at the Rio Som studio, a prominent location in Brazilian music production during that period. The production and direction of the album were handled by Roberto Quartin and Wadi Gebara, important figures in the phonographic industry. The recording engineer responsible for capturing the rich and detailed sound of the septet was Umberto Contardi. The liner notes, dated January 1966, were penned by none other than Vinicius de Moraes.

Songs

The repertoire of Som Definitivo is a deep dive into the essence of MPB, featuring compositions by some of the greatest names in Brazilian music. Among the standout tracks are "Zambi", "Imagem", "Aleluia", "...Das Rosas" and "Água De Beber". The album also features memorable interpretations of songs such as "O Mar É Meu Chão", "Arrastão", "Apêlo" and "Vim Da Bahia". The album showcases the compositional genius of artists such as Edu Lobo, Dorival Caymmi, Gilberto Gil, Luiz Eça and Vinicius de Moraes.

Legacy

Som Definitivo is an album that, over the years, has become a coveted item for collectors and music lovers, considered a rare record. Its importance is such that it has been re-released on several occasions, including as part of the "Três tons do Quarteto em Cy" box set in 2015, highlighting it as a "jazz-toned record". On platforms like Discogs, the album demonstrates public admiration, with one version receiving an average rating of 4.59 out of 5 stars based on 17 ratings, and another with 5 out of 5 stars from 2 ratings. The large number of users who wish to add it to their collections is also an indicator of its lasting value and continuous recognition.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Producer, Directed By

Roberto Quartin, Wadi Gebara Netto

Supervised By

Marcos Vasconcellos

Vocals

Quarteto Em Cy, Tamba Trio

Bass, Flute

Bebeto Castilho

Drums

Ohana

Piano

Luiz Eça

Engineer

Umberto Contardi

Liner Notes

Vinicius De Moraes

Photography By

Paulo Lorgus

Books

Analyses

Discogs

Som Definitivo – Discogs

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