Guinga is a wonderful composer who has to survive as a dentist in Brazil because of lack of interest of the recording industry in his music, a sincere declaration of love to Brazilian culture not ashamed of using erudite music achievements. Since 1967 (in the II FIC) having one feet in the music scenery, only in 1991 recorded his first solo album,
Simples e absurdo. This is his second solo effort, and he counted here with special guests Djavan,
Boca Livre and
Leila Pinheiro in it.
Guinga's music is a complex creation, where intricate harmonies serve as unstable support for unusual, hard to sing melodies. The instrumental side is his great concern, and orchestral treatments predominate here. The lyrics, he puts the responsibility for them in the hands of some of the most capable Carioca writers:
Aldir Blanc, all songs, with exception of "Passarinhadeira" (with Paulo César Pinheiro).
Guinga has a crush for profound, doleful melodies. More rhythmic songs are "Par ou ímpar," "Catavento e Girassol," the frevo "Henriquieto" (displaying his virtuosity at the violão), the choro "Choro pro Zé," and the baiões "Nítido e obscuro" and "Baião de Lacan."
Guinga is one of the few popular composers/musicians who really expand the Brazilian musical tradition to reach the recording market, which dabbles with disposable trends almost all the time. ~ Alvaro Neder