Artist: Caetano Veloso Album: Totalmente Demais

Year: 1986
Duration: 0:0-1

A Deep Dive into Caetano Veloso's Totalmente Demais: A Critical Review

Caetano Veloso is an iconic Brazilian singer and composer who has been making music for over five decades. He is regarded as one of the most influential artists in Brazilian music history, and in 2019, he released his latest album, Totalmente Demais. This album is a mix of classic Brazilian and Latin jazz, and it is an exciting blend of different genres. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the album, its music genre, the artist's history, and some of the best tracks on the album. We will also give our critical review of this recent release from the living legend of Brazilian music.

Caetano Veloso is a prominent Brazilian musician who started his career in the 1960s as a part of the Tropicalismo movement. This movement was a cultural revolution that aimed to question the political and social status quo in Brazil, promoting artistic experimentation, and combining various cultures. Veloso and his contemporaries used their music to voice their political beliefs, valuing autonomy and freedom. Today, Veloso is recognized as one of the most important figures of Brazilian music, having influenced a new generation of musicians.

The music genre of Totalmente Demais is a mix of classical Brazilian music, samba, and Latin jazz. The album brings together the essence of Brazilian rhythms with a touch of jazz that highlights Veloso's unique interpretation style. In songs like Força Estranha, he delivers his smooth vocals over a bossa nova rhythm, while Piano na Mangueira mixes classic samba with jazz. Caetano intertwines complex harmonies with trademark rhythms of Brazil, making the album a beautiful example of cultural fusion.

In terms of the album's most innovative parts, Caetano's musical arrangements stand out. Every song on Totalmente Demais has a unique arrangement that corresponds with the lyrics illustrating the depth of his musicianship. For example, Vambora, a song about new beginnings, starts out with mixed percussion sounds that give way to a gentle guitar solo over a relaxing chorus. Moreover, the artist's collaborations with international musicians like Sudan Archives bring an unexpected twist to the album's soundscapes, adding new energy and sounds to his music.

Totalmente Demais has several tracks that could be considered the best on the album. Minha Voz, Minha Vida showcases Veloso's versatile use of his voice, while Dezembro evokes serenity and nostalgia that characterize Brazilian Bossa Nova. Muito Romântico stands out for its rhythm shifts in the melody, putting the samba groove upfront and center, while Aspasia brings a troubadour's wail to Veloso's reflective love lyrics about the Greek philosopher.

Now to our critical review. Totalmente Demais is an excellent album that showcases Veloso's experimental spirit and his ability to innovate while never deviating too far from his cultural roots. The album's mix of rhythms and instrumentation gives it a universal appeal that transcends borders, and every good track on the album takes us on an exciting and engaging journey. However, for the uninitiated listener, some tracks could feel a bit monotonous, and the album overall might feel a little overlong. That being said, we would strongly recommend this album to lovers of Brazilian and Latin Jazz.

In conclusion, Totalmente Demais is a classic example of an artist's ability to explore creatively beyond borders and time, while still maintaining their roots. If you are looking for a Brazilian album that is both contemporary and classic, Totalmente Demais is a great choice for you. Caetano Veloso is a living legend of Brazilian music, and this album will only add to his well-deserved legacy.