A Arte Negra
Wilson Moreira & Nei Lopes
1980
Why This Album Matters
A Arte Negra, released in 1980, is an indelible landmark in the discography of samba and Brazilian Popular Music, representing the pinnacle of the collaboration between Wilson Moreira and Nei Lopes, one of the most sophisticated partnerships in Brazilian music. This album transcends mere musical recording, constituting an exaltation of the culture and art of the Black people, as its title suggests. The work is recognised for its lyrical depth and melodic richness, which intertwine to create an authentic and committed soundscape. The album stands out as a watershed moment in the artistic evolution of samba, incorporating not only the traditional styles of the genre, but also other popular and Afro-Latin rhythms, expanding the boundaries of samba. The confluence of talents of Wilson, an expert melodist and a proponent of partido alto, and Nei, a precise lyricist and intellectual of the African diaspora, resulted in timeless compositions that resonate with the Afro-Brazilian experience and history.
Context
The album emerges at a period when Wilson Moreira and Nei Lopes already had significant individual trajectories and a consolidated partnership in the Rio de Janeiro samba scene. Wilson Moreira, with his experience as a former prison officer and a prominent composer in samba schools such as Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and Portela, brought the life experience of Rio de Janeiro's working classes. Nei Lopes, in turn, with a bachelor's degree in Law and Social Sciences, abandoned advocacy to dedicate himself to music and literature, acting as a researcher and activist for Afro-Brazilian culture since the 70s. Both were founders of the Grêmio Recreativo de Arte Negra e Escola de Samba Quilombo, an association that reinforced Black identity and struggle, elements that are intrinsically reflected in the album's themes and sound.
Recording
A Arte Negra was released in 1980, under the Odeon record label, with a technical sheet that brought together important names in the musical production of the time. Production was handled by Genaro Soalheiro, while arrangements were signed by Rogério Rossini. The artistic direction of the project was by Renato Corrêa, consolidating the characteristic sound that would become a benchmark.
Songs
The album's repertoire is a treasure of samba, with nine tracks that became classics and fundamental elements of MPB. Among the standout songs are "Gotas de veneno", "Senhora liberdade", "Samba do Irajá", "Candongueiro" and "Gostoso veneno". Other gems include "Só Chora quem Ama", which follows the tradition of old sambas de primeira, and "Goiabada cascão", whose theme was inspired by a compliment paid to Dino Sete Cordas. Lyrics are marked by Nei Lopes' poetic acuteness, who in "Mel e Mamão com Açúcar" explores a popular saying from the prison environment, and in "Coisa da Antiga" builds a narrative from an original idea by Wilson Moreira. "Coité, cuia" is a samba-jongo with roots in a jongueiro's memories. The album also includes "Ao povo em forma de arte", a samba-enredo with a strong reclamatory connotation, which had previously been interpreted by Candeia.
Legacy
A Arte Negra consolidated the partnership of Wilson Moreira and Nei Lopes as one of the most fruitful and important in samba and MPB. The album was crucial for Nei Lopes, already recognised as an excellent composer, to ascend to the status of a renowned sambista for the general public as well. Several compositions from the album transcended the original work, being recorded by great names in Brazilian music, such as Clara Nunes, Beth Carvalho, Martinho da Vila and Zeca Pagodinho, which attests to the repertoire's perennial nature and artistic quality. The work continues to be revisited and celebrated, confirming its status as one of samba's most classic and influential albums.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Rogerio Rossini
Rogerio Rossini
Genaro
Renato Corrêa
As Gatas, Conjunto Nosso Samba
Julinho
Alceu Maia, Carlinhos Do Cavaco
Netinho
Aladim
Geraldo
Rogerio Rossini
Dino 7 Cordas
Afonso Machado
Caboclinho, Conjunto Nosso Samba, Elizeu, Geraldo Bongô, Luna, Marçal, Testa, Trambique
Nelson Martins Dos Santos
Nivaldo Duarte
Bill Horne, Dacy Rodrigues
Rubem Confete
Books
Analyses
A Arte Negra De Wilson Moreira e Nei Lopes (Fenix/EMI/Odeon)1980
discosbrasilblog.blogspot.com
quinta-feira, 29 de dezembro de 2022 A Arte Negra De Wilson Moreira e Nei Lopes (Fenix/EMI/Odeon)1980 Um clássico do samba e desses ótimos compositores que fizeram história no estilo. Álbum necessário para quem gosta de samba, produzido por Renato Correa dos Golden Boys e com um time de tirar o fôlego que gravava com várias pessoas do samba.
G. Álbuns: Wilson Moreira e Nei Lopes | A Arte Negra de Wilson Moreira ...
namiradogroove.com.br
Por isso mesmo, ficaram receosos se realmente deveriam gravar A Arte Negra de Wilson Moreira e Nei Lopes (1980). Além do mais, havia outro detalhe: Nei e Wilson eram da mesma turma de Candeia, o sambista que detratou a massificação e o estrangeirismo do samba.
Cliquemusic : Disco : A ARTE NEGRA DE WILSON MOREIRA E NEI LOPES
cliquemusic.com.br
1980 EMI-Odeon 062 421196 Faixas 1 Só chora quem ama (Wilson Moreira, Nei Lopes) 2 Goiabada cascão (Wilson Moreira, Nei Lopes) 3 Mel e mamão com açúcar (Wilson Moreira) 4 Coisa da antiga (Wilson Moreira, Nei Lopes) 5 Coité, cuia (Wilson Moreira, Nei Lopes) 6 Gotas de veneno (Wilson Moreira, Nei Lopes) 7 Senhora liberdade (Wilson Moreira ...
Discogs
A Arte Negra – Discogs
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