Fabiano do Nascimento is a Brazilian-American guitarist and composer and he came across my way when I saw Brazilian Classical music was the selling point of Vila. I don’t have much Brazilian Classical knowledge, so my expectations were neutral and I didn’t anticipate the aura that was about to be brought down on me. Do Nascimento was self taught in his early years and has so many albums under his belt (sixteen projects in a span of 15 freaking years) as he now resides in either Los Angeles and Tokyo. I’m sorry, Mr. Do Nasimento. I didn’t know you had game. Someone else who also has the talent to pull this album off is producer and conductor of Vila, Vittor Santos. Santos and Do Nascimento has started working together during the pandemic. Do Nascimento said he was amazed when Santos sent him an arrangement of MIDI strings and that’s when they made Lendas without ever meeting face to face besides the one time. That is a lot of trust between two creators. And I think they pulled it off here. So, I am not well versed in contemporary classical, let alone Brazilian Classical music, so this is new ground-ish for me as I used to play concert band and symphony music in my education of my younger years. But when I stepped into Vila’s world, my my it was a wondrous feeling. The beautiful guitar arrangements from Do Nascimento and his clean technique just exudes a lot of atmosphere and warm feelings. The way his melodies dances with the orchestra as it seems like the spotlight is not on just him even though he is first billing, but the illustrious strings and band is accentuated as well. There are occasional vocals in this album, but the instrumental arrangements are the cream of the crop. It is impossible to not think of images or murals just canvassing the movie in your mind. The whole sonic experience is a flourish of watercolors and a dance between two entities only to spike your serotonin and massage said receptors. I’d say this would even be the right soundtrack to listen to while you’re walking in Brazil, a beach, or any European city where you ride around on those damn mopeds with someone grabbing on you for their dear life with a puppy in the basket up front. This listen ain’t cheese. This is Minas cheese that is applicable to many things to make the soul feel good.
There are two parts to “O Tempo (Foi O Meu Mestre)” with the dulcet tones of Do Nascimento’s guitar melodies and the orchestra supporting that melody with each section getting their turn to answer its call. Then the latter part of the opener has Do Nascimento’s vocals taking us away as the instrumentals accompany at the side. It feels like I’m being transported back in time! I like “Spring Theme’s” raw acoustic performance with the strings swell in its blend of melancholy and solidarity. It almost creates a romantic stage. “Tema Em Harmônicos” gives us a tango and flamenco number with the guitar and instrumentals going into descending triplets juxtaposed with a hand drum and shakers. I absolutely love whoever is playing that fun trombone as they sound absolutely bonkers especially when they give those flourishes at the end of their phrases. Any contemplative thoughts can make “Uirapurú” your bus stop. It’s a simple guitar melody, but it does give a comforting feeling that things will be all right. I like “Trenzinho Imaginário”‘s constant chord progression keeps on moving as the breezy strings make it sound like a flowing of wind or a mobile nature. The plucking of the strings of “Valsa” makes this piece a sacred place. The brushing of the jazzy snares and the orchestra’s night vibes make it kind of ambient in a way. The city is about to go into slumber.
“Floresta Dos Sonhos” is the longest runtime on this LP as it has many different melodies following Do Nascimento’s guitar. “Plateau” has the guitar doing “scales”! As it keeps on climbing and progressing! It’s rock solid! Sorry! This track doesn’t take a break as it is constantly moving and each instrumental section of Santo’s orchestra has their highlights. “Vittor e Fabi” is what I take it, a bromance that takes form in audio playwright. The orchestra representing Santo’s hemisphere goes along with these smooth jazz hand drums and toms with the strings, while letting Do Nascimento do what he does! He doesn’t showboat on that serene, pensive guitar. The piece has ambient elements again. It’s like witnessing an interpretive dance of two entities. The last track is the “Tema Em Harmônicos” from before, but with no orchestral strings. In case you want to hear it with no orchestral strings.
If you’re into one sweet mood and don’t want to stray from it. Then this is your go to. Otherwise, don’t expect Vila to stray from what it does and does well. There are some tracks that kind of drag and the first half is stellar compared to the second half. “Floresta Dos Sonhos” kind of drags on with no memorable segments and the ending is kind of a head scratcher as it’s just the third track with no instrumentals. Technically a reprieve, but the strings is what also made “Tema Em Harmônicos”. So, the ending was kind of disappointing and I wish it was omitted.
You know that feeling whenever a main character or a Disney princess walks through their introduction and exposition to show the initial peace of their character? Vila is a great soundtrack for that. No conflicts here, just a group of talented musicians working together to make this elegant, gorgeous album. This record is not only a dance, a beautiful arrangement, or a deep connection to someone’s space. It’s an open invitation. Sure when you get back home after that enchanting trip, you get the sinking feeling things still suck. So, you daydream the memories you have of the world Vila has provided. However, you’ll come back! Bring your moped! Entry is accessible and they’ll welcome you back with open arms as you relive that dream world all over again.
FAVORITE TRACKS: O TEMPO (FOI O MEU MESTRE), SPRING THEME, TEMA EM HARMÔNICOS, UIRAPURÚ, TRENZINHO IMAGINÁRIO, VALSA, PLATEAU, VITTOR E FABI
LEAST FAVORITE: TEMA EM HARMÔNICOS (NO STRINGS)
You can purchase this album on Bandcamp and their discography is also available for streaming. Links down below.
[Bandcamp]﹡[Apple Music]﹡[TIDAL]
Leave a Reply