The book tells the story of KuaruP, the label that maintains the coincidences led by a classic MPB

In almost 50 years of existence, the independent label began in Rio de Janeiro, launched classics, won Grammy, almost bankruptcy and was purchased by the journalist Alcides Ferreira, one of the protagonists of a randomness that involves “Romantia”.

It was through a report published by Estadão That journalist and businessman Alcides Ferreira learned that the label Kuauporwho had the registers of names of names such as Arthur Moreira Lima, Tribio Santos, Cartola, Paulo Moura, Penus Branca and Xavantinho, Shanghai, Cartola and Cida Moreira, were closing the doors in 2009.

Founded in 1977 in Rio de Janeiro by the journalist Mario de Aratanha and by the graphic artist Janine Hoard, the company had given the crisis of the music industry, who at that time still learned to face the progress of digital channels on the musical market.

Ferreira, at that time, director of the communication of BM and FBOVESPA, current B3 – previously, also worked at Agência Estado – decided to buy KuaruP. What did he know how to interpret a label? Absolutely nothing. He didn’t even know Kuarup owners. However, he liked music and, three years earlier, he had organized an association of supporters of the Paulista Chamber Orchestra.

The story of KuaruP, which involves dreams, persistence, creativity and passion for music – as well as almost divine coincidences – is now told in the book Playing in front: the history of the Kuarup producer or how to survive in the creative economy in Brazil, De Ferreira, Aratanha and journalist Adriana del Ré. The book will be released on Wednesday 16 April at the Shopping Villa Lobos Shopping bookcase.

The book is divided into two parts. In the first, Aratanha tells, firsthand, the carioca phase of the label, from 1977 to 2009. The second, signed by Del Ré, contemplates the phase of San Paolo di KuaruP, after it was acquired by Ferreira.

Ferreira’s goal was precisely to say, or, as he prefers to say: “spend the story of Kuaru in front”. “I really believe in the power of the good example. And Kuarup is a good example. It is an in -depth demonstration that a group of people can change the course of things. And not prostrate, waiting for a sponsorship, a philanthropist, something very common in the cultural area. Miracles usually do not occur”, says the businessman.

“The story surprised me. I did not know how Ferreira had really acquired Kuarup. It was in a very comfortable life situation. And the label was in a difficult moment financially. He decides to go on, without fear, trying to combine with people who could carry on the story”, says of the Ré, who approached the stories and archives of the record company.

Ferreira, always objective, has a direct explanation of what motivated it. “It was an opportunity that exceeded me, that I thought I could work in hand and I decided to try. There was no special call,” he says. According to him, it would be “very sad” to see the collection that an independent label had built up to that moment, with about two hundred titles, you lose – or stop at the hands of the creditors.

Ferreira perhaps extracts the subjective part precisely because the purchase has given a good job. At that moment he concentrated. To be with KuaruP, Ferreira took the debts that the company had, in addition to making the necessary investments so that everything could walk again. “The best deal for the record label catalog was made, not the best business for Aratanha and Janine. They were very understanding with the problem,” he admits. The story told is that it has acquired everything for $ 1, a symbolic value in this type of transaction.

The San Paolo phase has produced numerous albums of names such as Chico Lobo, Alaíde Costa, Claudette Soares, Antonio Adolfo, Maria Alcina, Ayrton Mountroyos, Yamandu Costa, Sivuca, Joyce Moreno, Zé Geraldo, as well as recordings such as Chico Buarque, Ney Magrobo.

Over the years, the label has been able to expand its areas of interest. He was also a publisher of books, published the biographies of Geraldo Vandré, Taiguara and Hermeto Pascal and the history of another record label, The Form, and became an audiovisual producer: they are the documentaries The secret history of Brazilian popby André Barcinski, who is about to get a new season, e The magnificent 8from Domingos de Oliveira.

“Contrary to popular belief, it does not need a lot of money to do something for the community. The point is that we are very patrimonial, we want to do it only for us,” he says.

The secrets of a terraced house in Pinheiros

“If you believe in coincidences, stay with them. If you believe in any energy, if you are a religious person, you can bring it on this side. I get the coincidences. They are incredible,” says Ferreira, that re -read material that Adriana del Ré had written and after having edited and additions, wrote a presentation. When he finished doing it, he signed and created the date, which made a starting point in the book: “San Paolo, 12 October 2024, the day of Our Lady Aparecida”.

“Sao Paulo is enormous. Pinheiros is great. It is impressive! I don’t think coincidence, but I can’t explain what it is. However, it goes very much with the San Paolo phase of Kuarup. It had to be in this place. It was something strong for the book,” says Del Ré.

Five Kuapu historical discs

‘Caipira Seed’ – Penalty Branca

The first album of the musician and his brother and partner, Xavantinho, was winner in the best category of country music in the 2001 Latin Grammy. A jewel that deserves to be rediscovered.

‘Cantoria 1’ – Helomar, Geraldo Azevedo, Vitale Farias, Shanghai

In 1984, the album joined in a fantastic way as musicians to play and tell stories. He gave rise to a series, in addition to an Elomar solo, from 1995. Rare artist is currently 87 years old.

‘Live Cartola’ – Cartola

This is the live record of the last show by the composer of Rio, who died in 1980. Recorded by the producer Pelão, he brings the mangrove singing classics such as Sunrise, Roses do not speak AND The world is a mill.

“Heitor Villa -Lobos: The Forest of Amazonas” – João Carlos Assis Brasil

Villa-Lobos is perhaps a kind of “godfather” by KuaruP, who generously has always looked at his work. Here, he brings one of his latest compositions as director initially made by order by MGM, but who have been transformed by himself into a symphonic suite.

“Live in Tatuí” – Renato Teixeira and Pena Branca and Xavantinho

Renato Teixeira could not be excluded from the national team. In this album, with the musicians under penalty of Branca and Xavantinho, he brings the lean country music, in the records of songs such as The earth, Bento Chalix AND Playing in front.

Playing in advance: the story of the Kuarup manufacturer or how to survive in the creative economy in Brazil

• Authors: Mário de Aratanha, Adriana del Ré and Alcides Ferreira
• Publisher: Kuaupor
• Pages: 269

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.