Coisa Nossa debuts with a mix of differences and recovery of Brazilian music

The duo formed by João Mantuano and RAYA spoke with Rolling Stone Brasil about meetings and inspirations for the album published by the Toca Discos label

Fruit of the meeting between João Mantovano AND RAYA — stage name of Paola Raia –, the duo Our thing his debut work was released this Friday (December 6), published by the Toca Discos label.

The self-titled album brings with it a mix of meanings, reflecting the intimacy and exchange between the two artists, but also the diversity and immensity of Brazil.

Our thing it carries, as a meaning, this mixture. We set out to do research on Brazilian popular music, starting from the artists who have passed through us and crossed our paths over time. Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Elomar, Macalè Gardens, Roberto Carlos, Gal Costa, Mutants, New Bahians… What is MPB, if not the mixture itself? This is the culture of our people and this is what forms a very rich and profound identity. The idea is precisely to bring and play with this characteristic in our musical creation and production. We feel that with time, with globalization, with standardization in the ways of producing, we will be able to move further and further away from this great richness of our music. Then Our thing proposes this rescue, this linguistic and artistic preservation, as well as trying to act with the poetic depth that the period under analysis possesses”, commented the two in an interview with Rolling Stone Brazil.

The harmony between John AND RAYA flourished in the first meeting, in 2022. The contact was stimulated by Filippo Rodartewho produced the album together Constance Scofield AND Álvaro Alencar.

Despite expectations that the result would be positive, the two call the outcome a surprise.

John came from a partnership with Chico Chicowith which he released an album in 2021. Praised by critics, the album also had one of its songs nominated for a Latin Grammy. RAYA he had composed original soundtracks for dance performances – in one of them, his songs had vocals Ney Matogrosso. Furthermore, his first album, I amwon the platforms in 2022, with the participation of Giulia Maestro – and of Giuliana Linhares at the launch show.

The producers Philip AND Constance they were the first to hear the initial wave of songs Our thing and identify that there was an album and, above all, a duo, who with their different similarities built a solid identity.

I don’t think anyone imagined it could work so well, to the point that we’ve already written about 40 songs together in the last two years. When we showed them the songs we had written then, at the beginning of last year, they had the sensitivity to notice that what we had there were not just loose songs. There was the construction of a duo, an elaborate concept (even if until then undefined) and an album practically ready. I think they noticed it before us, in fact. We were just enjoying our meeting, the compositions we were making together. But we didn’t have great aspirations. They were the godfathers of our meeting.”

The circle grew with the contribution of the sound engineer Álvaro Alencarthird element of production. It helped materialize the album’s sound, at once intimate and expansive, minimalist and exuberant.

Finally, Our thing laid its foundation in another meeting, this time with Renato Ciprianobrought at the suggestion of Álvaro. Responsible for the acoustic design of several large studios, including Toca do Bandido, Cyprian think about music by understanding its healing power, based on the understanding of the frequencies that have more or less healthy effects on us.

Our thing

The album Our thing It contains 11 tracks and a mix of rhythms that includes folk, samba, bossa, afoxé and rock. The album was naturally conceived as a break in the frenetic pace of the world: from composition to sound engineering, from arrangements to regimented musicians (André Vasconcelos, Marco Vasconcelos, Marco Suzano, Sergio Chiavazzolli AND Renato Cipriano), including texts full of references to nature.

A technical curiosity of the production is the fact that all the instruments were tuned to 432 Hz, a frequency which, according to studies, acts more in harmony with nature, the body and the human mind, compared to the 440 Hz adopted as the universal standard. .

We did a survey with the Renato Ciprianoone of the world’s leading experts in the study and creation of acoustic spaces. Music producer, sound engineer, researcher and scholar in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and spirituality and the impact of frequencies on the human body and mind. We went to Belo Horizonte to his studio to listen to his theories on music therapy and how we could apply it to some part of the project or keep it as inspiration.

There is a study that tries to understand how frequencies act on the surface of water and how fractals and geometric shapes form in different harmonies. Through this observation and other theories, it was understood that the frequency of 432 Hz causes a harmonic symmetry common to the molecules of the body and several other organic structures, such as a similar resonance, bringing us closer to a natural and global vibration. As for 440 Hz, they do not form any figures. They form chaotic designs without a recognizable format.

Both vibrations have effects on our body. From this visit we decided to differentiate our album as an experience to feel this vibration, with the intention of promoting more serenity, peace, sensitivity. To open up listening”, they explain.

“Cosa Nostra”the title song opens the album by exposing these contemplative intentions and the manifest desire for Brazilianness. The universe of New Bahians From “I ended up crying”send-João Gilbertowith a combination of mandolin and Bahian guitar. The choir that unites the voices of Luciana Dom to the trio Brazilian soul (Gê Vieira, Jose Junior AND Negra Silva) warms up the recording even more.

The second track, “Several Similarities”brings a “feeling Roberto Carlos“, as defined Johnas well as a solitary but luminous contemplation. One of the first songs written by the duo, the song also symbolizes the closeness between the artists and the way they mix their particularities to find their convergences:

I think we have a lot of similarities in music. We both grew up in the rock n’roll scene as teenagers, although MPB has always had a strong presence in our lives. We also have a strong folk presence in our solos. Not surprisingly, we can find these three genres present in Our thingwith MPB, popular roots music, at the center of it all and what motivated us to develop the duo. It has some references such as Spanish and Cuban music, jazz, which are more particular for each of us.

I think that on our soil we can see our differences better. While one works in a more sombre place, the other works in a sunnier and more contemplative place. This also has to do with our personality, in general. We have a mix of sun and moon which is very interesting and complementary. We believe that beauty lies in this. In finding similarities and absorbing differences through generous listening.”

Sung by John Alone, “Reverb” it sounds like American folk, but with a tambourine with its feet planted in Brazilian soil. At the same time he expands his territory with the derbak, an Arab drum.

Next, it’s time to do it RAYA sing alone “Nightingale”. Side by side, they sound like continuity, sister songs, rhyming in their titles and sharing a universe of rivers and skies.

“Uptown” it was created thinking about Santa Teresa, the Rio that can be seen from there. At a certain point, his mandolin brings with it a fado melancholy. At the same time, it is permeated with a silent joy.

“Free Love”composed only of RAYAit’s a carnival march with a ska twist, celebrating the freedom to love during the party. It is punctuated by a Bahian guitar that makes you think of the sound of Many carnivalsalbums by Caetano Veloso.

“Dark Forest” it also talks about freedom, but in a broader context. “Maybe it’s the song that brings the most hope,” he says RAYA. “It’s a feminine ride. A feeling of pure truth,” she defines John.

Delicate as your title, “White Petal” it is signed only by the composer. In less than two minutes he draws the fragility of love with simple fingering.

“Here I stay” it is a statement of resistance, constructed as a response to “I’m leaving”song by Paolo Diniz re-recorded by Ze Ibarra in 2023. The “here” referred to in the text is Latin America.

Finally, “If You’re Going to Sing for Love”partnership of John with Sal Pessoait’s a mantra that binds the soul together and supports the album.

With the release of our album we just have to thank all those who work with us and accompany us. Our families, friends, fans and business partners. Hopefully the album reaches people somehow. We may be able to provide a pause, in times of so much acceleration and cross-referencing of information. We are just getting started with these new ideas. Come with us!”

+++READ MORE: Johnny Hooker: ‘Regional music is Brazilian pop’

Source: Terra

Earl

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.