Vale Tudo

Sandra Sá

1983

Cover of Vale Tudo
Top 100

Why This Album Matters

Released in 1983, Vale Tudo established itself as one of the essential Brazilian boogie-funk albums of that decade, often hailed as Sandra Sá's masterpiece. The record delves deeply into the distinctive sound of 80s national boogie and funk, presenting a vibrant fusion of rhythms that defined the era. Sandra Sá's powerful voice and charisma intertwine perfectly with the sophisticated arrangements, creating a captivating auditory experience full of 'suingue'. The exquisite production and the participation of a stellar team of musicians and producers elevate Vale Tudo to a level of excellence, making it an undeniable classic for lovers of Brazilian black music. The album not only solidified Sandra Sá's position as one of the greatest artists of the genre but also represented a crucial moment in the evolution of MPB's sound with international soul and funk influences, yet maintaining an undeniably Brazilian identity.

Context

Sandra Sá's musical trajectory began in the late 1970s, and she had already released her first two studio albums in 1980 and 1982, which featured hits such as "Demônio Colorido" and "Olhos Coloridos", becoming instant classics in Brazilian music. She emerged as one of the most expressive voices of the national soul movement, following in the footsteps of pioneers such as Cassiano and Luiz Melodia. The early 80s period was particularly fertile and productive for Sandra Sá, marking an ascending phase in her career. Vale Tudo, her third work, arrived at a time when the artist had already achieved recognition, but was still seeking to consolidate a sound that would distinguish her, which was masterfully achieved on this record.

Recording

Vale Tudo was conceived with the collaboration of a true 'dream team' of musicians and producers, who were fundamental to the album's distinctive sound. Lincoln Olivetti, a central figure in the architecture of Brazilian boogie and funk sound of the era, played a crucial role in the arrangements, writing, and musical execution of various tracks. In addition to Olivetti, the record featured the prowess of talents such as Robson Jorge, Serginho Trombone, Oberdan Magalhães, Claudio Stevenson, Jamil Joanes (recognised for his work with Banda Black Rio), and Junior Mendes. Banda Vitória Régia acted as the backing band, and arrangements were divided among several names, including Tim Maia himself on the title track, Serginho Trombone on "Trem da Central", and Lincoln Olivetti on tracks such as "Candura" and "Pela Cidade".

Songs

The repertoire of Vale Tudo presents a collection of songs that range from the most danceable funk and boogie to moving ballads. The title track "Vale Tudo", an energetic and fast-paced duet, was written by Tim Maia and featured his special participation, having been composed specifically to be performed by the two icons of Brazilian music. Other tracks stand out, such as the opener "Trem da Central", a composition by Macau, Durval Ferreira, and Sandra de Sá, which offers an 'infectious groove' and became an 'essential dancefloor jam'. "Candura" is notable for its captivating boogie-funk, while "Pela Cidade" evokes comparisons to the sound of Earth, Wind & Fire, highlighting the influence of American R&B on the album's sound. The album also includes compositions by great names such as Cassiano, Guilherme Arantes, and Sandra Sá herself, resulting in a balanced work rich in musical nuances.

Legacy

Vale Tudo is widely recognised as one of the most important albums of Sandra Sá's career and a landmark of boogie-funk in Brazil. The title track, a duet with Tim Maia, achieved great success, featuring at number 28 among the 100 most played songs of 1983. The album's relevance is such that it has been compared to other seminal works of the genre, such as Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti's eponymous 1982 release and Marcos Valle's 1983 album, which includes the song "Estrelar". Its constant rediscovery in the international market and reissues by labels such as Mr Bongo attest to its lasting appeal and its classic status for collectors and lovers of global black music.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Arranged By

Claudio Stevenson, Lincoln Olivetti, Oberdan Magalhães, Reinaldo Arias, Serginho Do Trombone, Tim Maia

Conductor

Esdras

Producer

Durval Ferreira

Backing Band

Banda Vitória Régia

Bass Guitar

Fernando Souza, Jamil Joanes

Classical Guitar

Tim Maia

Coro

Abóbora, Gastão Lamounier, Junior Mendes, Robson Jorge, Rose Marinho

Drums

Mamão, Serginho

Drums, Percussion

Paulinho Braga

Guitar

Claudio Stevenson

Guitar, Keyboards

Robson Jorge

Keyboards

Lincoln Olivetti, Reinaldo Arias

Keyboards, Coro

Pi

Keyboards, Trombone

Serginho Do Trombone

Percussion

Ohana, Sidinho Moreira

Percussion, Classical Guitar

Macau

Saxophone, Flute

Leo Gandelman, Oberdan Magalhães, Zé Carlos

Trumpet

Barrozinho, Bidinho, Marcio Montarroyos, Paulinho Martins

Engineer

Andy Mills, Felipe Nery

Layout, Artwork

Guta

Liner Notes

Sandra De Sá

Photography By

Ivan Klingen

Podcasts

BONUS EP. (Sandra Sá feat. Tim Maia - "Vale Tudo")

Brazuca Sounds on Patreon · Leandro Vignoli

14 min·26 Mar 2024

Salve! This is another bonus episode of Brazuca Sounds!Every episode is a different song.This is the song today:"Vale Tudo" by Sandra Sá featuring Tim Maia from Vale Tudo (1983)The album's back cover made a point of including a picture of Tim MaiaOne may argue that "Vale Tudo" is the most popular Brazilian song from the 1980s. Tim Maia wrote it exclusively for Sandra Sá, who initially thought it w

Books

Analyses

Discogs

Vale Tudo – Discogs

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