Ronaldo Folegatti
Histórias de Beijos
Folegatti Music RF B003 (2002)
Time: 73'40"

Histórias de Beijos
Click to enlarge cover

Back in April of 2001, I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Ronaldo Folegatti's music via two of his albums, Mazy Tales and Anjos & Estrelas (see reviews below). Patricia AraújoShaking our musical perception of his work, Folegatti's latest album is a daring project and features vocalist Patrícia Araújo in all tracks (she had done some vocals in Anjos & Estrelas). Clocking at more than 70 minutes, this CD packs good music, terrific beat and very interesting lyrics. On top of it all, Folegatti steals the scene whenever he plays his smooth guitar, and there are plenty of guitar solos throughout the recording. As Folegatti says, Histórias de Beijos is his way of mixing Brazilian Popular Music (Música Popular Brasileira, MPB) with his jazzy style. The end result is best defined not as MPB or jazz, but rather as Folegatti music.

"Quase Pop" is an awesome track, and what a way to open Histórias de Beijos. Folegatti's music is bouncy and hard to resist not dancing to it. His guitar solo in this track is very cool and sometimes so reminiscent of George Benson's sound. And the lyrics make such a statement:

Mostrei meu lado de bebop
Pra você me aceitar
Agora vou mandar no pop
Pra você me escutar
Será que vai notar? 		I showed you my bebop side
For you to accept me
Now I'm giving you pop
For you to listen to me
Will you notice me?

Wow, if that is not a slap to marketing executives in the Brazilian music industry! They are missing the boat. Araújo's vocals are so fitting to this song, and the background vocalists do a great job, too.

"Lambuzado" is another good moment in this album. The cha-cha-cha rhythm is contagious. As if the beat did not catch you, the lyrics are also very interesting. This is a love song talking about the pleasures of being with the one you love, spending time together kissing, feeding your loved one in the mouth, undressing each other and playing hide and seek. Sensuality abounds in this track with the right combination of rhythm and words.

Written, produced, arranged, recorded and mixed by Folegatti, Histórias de Beijos is a treasure. Besides all those credits, Folegatti does some vocals and also plays just about everything you hear in the album: guitars, keyboards, bass, cavaquinho, percussion, samplers and more. He did find room to invite a few special guests. Their presence adds a special treat and dimension to the album. Liner notes contain all lyrics and personnel.

To hear samples of Ronaldo Folegatti's music, please visit his home page.

MB
Egídio Leitão
December 2003

Track listing (all tracks composed by Ronaldo Folegatti):
      1. Quase Pop
      2. Paraíso Imerso
      3. Éramos Tão Iguais
      4. Lambuzado
      5. Brincadeira
      6. O Resto não Era Nada
      7. Dentro de Ti
      8. Treze de Maio
      9. Me Gosta
      10. Fui Sempre Razão
      11. Longe de Você
      12. Noites, Tintos e Beijos
      13. Só pra Ver


Ronaldo Folegatti
Mazy Tales
Folegatti Music RF B001 (2000)
Time: 73'06"

 Mazy Tales


Ronaldo Folegatti
Anjos & Estrelas
Folegatti Music RF B002 (2000)
Time: 64'55"

 Anjos & Estrelas
Click to enlarge cover

What a delight to hear these two new releases by Ronaldo Folegatti (guitars, keyboards, vocals). Mazy Tales, an instrumental album with a strong jazz and Brazilian feel, opens with a taste of the Brazilian northeast in "Batata-Doce." The baião flavored tune is just one side of the diverse musical universe that Folegatti presents in this CD. He comes back to baião in "Janaião," "Hermético Agosto" (can you say Hermeto Pascoal?) and other tracks, but he does not forget the vivacious rhythms of samba, as in "The Doctor's Samba" and "Cumdengu Da." Whether with a baião, samba or bolero, as in "A Bordo de um Avião," Folegatti's music is both exquisite and captivating. When he delves more into the jazz world, he is absolutely brilliant. You will be amazed at the haunting melody and Fernando di Mello's mystic vocalese of "Fairy Tale."

While vocals in Mazy Tales are often secondary to the magnificent instrumental work, in Anjos & Estrelas, Folegatti explores his lyricist side. True, it is a lighter album, but the same musical quality of Mazy Tales is still evident. Whether with poignant lyrics or simple poetry, Anjos & Estrelas is also very pleasing. Though clearly more popular in scope, the album is still effervescent in some jazzy numbers, as is the case of "Extensão," where Folegatti's own soothing vocals pair up with Patricia Araújo's crisp voice in a sexy duet. Next, in "Falta de Criatividade," Folegatti brings Luciana Marinho in a marvelous samba with a João Bosco touch of greatness. The track is effusive and joyful.

Together, these two releases seem to complement each other well. You get a double dose of Folegatti with a good blend of vocalists and superb musicianship.

To hear samples of Ronaldo Folegatti's music, please visit his home page.

MB
Egídio Leitão
This review appeared in Terra Brasilis in April 2001

Track listing (all tracks composed by Ronaldo Folegatti):

    Mazy Tales

    1. Batata-Doce
    2. A Bordo de um Avião
    3. Fairy Tale
    4. Janaião
    5. Mariposas
    6. The Doctor's Samba
    7. Seven Tails for Seven Tales
    8. Valerie
    9. Hermético Agosto
    10. Chameguim
    11. Coisas de Mar
    12. Sue Roobba Against the Intolerance
    13. Dugu Dadagu Dudu
    14. Cumdengu Da
    15. Pensando em Você
    16. Arpeggio

    Anjos & Estrelas

      1. Estrela Distante
      2. Extensão
      3. Clarice
      4. Valsa Só
      5. Meditação na Cidade
      6. Falta de Criatividade
      7. Vizinha
      8. Chat
      9. El Tangolero
      10. Viver
      11. Falsa Salsa pro João
      12. Tango da Volta
      13. Meu Anjo
      14. A Mão
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