03/07 Launch of ‘African Tree’, the new cd from Marcelo Andrade
01 Jul, 2013
The beginning of July has a brilliant surprise in store for music lovers. The cd ‘African Tree’, produced by the multi-instrumentalist carioca Marcelo Andrade, will be launched on the 3rd. The launch will take place in the art and music space The Forge in Camden Town. The album was recorded on a laptop during the musician’s journey through Africa. It includes the participation of more than 70 collaborators, originating from four different continents. Now, for the first time, his work will be presented live for the public and will reunite 6 musicians (on stage) and more than 10 special guests who have contributed to the production of African Tree.
CD LAUNCH Marcelo Andrade ‘African Tree Album Launch’
+ DJ D.Vyzor + Support act ‘ Rauny and The Dust’
Doors open: 7:30pm, Show: 8pm and 11:30pm
@ The forge (3-7 Delancey Street, NW1 7NL)
+info: 020 73837808 / www.forgevenue.org
General Admission (e-ticket): £10
Concessions: £8 (The Forge can only accept cash on the door)
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Marcelo, his music and involvement with Africa
In his new album, the compositions of Marcelo Andrade are in dialogue with the illustration on the album’s cover, engaging perfectly with the disk’s title ‘African Tree’. It is an album of ‘World Music’, which reunites diverse meanings by using instruments and simple elements to carry its message. In ‘African Tree’ the flute creates the sound of birdsong, and the saxophone produces the noise of elephants. Many of the songs are marked by the criticism of mankind and the valorisation nature and its elements. They work together themes such as, the unity of the planet and the proliferation of local diversity.
The album’s cover artwork shows an African group dancing and playing music underneath a tree, this happens in many African villages. Andrade tells us that the American artist Debbie ‘Mama’ Cris who did the artwork was inspired by musicality when creating the idea of ‘African roots’. Inside the case you can read about the musician’s experience in Africa (he planted 500 trees during his visit to Uganda), where he was able to understand how much Brazilian music is rooted in African traditions.
All of the songs trace a different story, with distinct collaborations and hugely diverse rhythms and lyrics. Many of them reveal Brazilian elements, but with African roots, such as ‘Barriga d’agua’ (a xote sung by Geraldo Azevedo), ‘Razão de ser’ (a bossa nova sung by Jandira Silva), ‘Samba das 8’ and ‘Bola de Cristal’ (featuring the great Filó Machado on piano and vocals). At the end of the album, you will find ‘Coco-Pera’ a coco with flamenco elements, featuring Damian Ximenez. Other songs show elements of nature with the strong presence of percussion, like ‘Sambura’ (with Josue Ferreira and Adriano Adewale) and ‘African Tree’ (sung by Kadialy Kouvate).
The only instrumental song is ‘Voo livre’, which also involves an element of vocals in a small solo. The closing song is the softly sung ‘Blackbird’ and it is the only song in English (written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon). This unique version features African voices from ‘bombolulu singers’ Giriama Tribe, Mobassa from Kenya and Brigette Amofah.
In the work, there are collaborations with many London based artists such as, Rebeca Vallim, Leandra Varanda, Jonathan Preiss and Helder Pack. It is produced by Marcelo Andrade, the mixing was carried out by Chris Webster and Andres Lafone and mastered by Chris Webster. With ‘African Tree’, Marcelo Andrade has created a work for the whole world to listen to, with sounds and elements that obtain a sense of unity within the paradox of ‘World Music’.
Click here to listen to samples from the songs:
https://soundcloud.com/ourlandrecords/african-tree-samples
Website: http://www.ourlandrecords.com/
A little bit more about Marcelo de Andrade
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Andrade began his musical story studying violin, piano, guitar and singing in the well-established choir “Canarinhos de Petrópolis”. Moving to London in 1989, he added jazz violin, saxophone, flute and composition to his repertoire. Over his career so far he has recorded and performed with many artists, including Milton Nascimento and Corinne Bailey Rae. He has also co-led his own groups including ‘London Latin Jazz Ensemble’, ‘Ohayo-Samba’, ‘Samburá’, ‘Saravah Soul’ and ‘Jazzinho’.
