Aiê

The nomadic Brazilian singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist LUIZGA is perhaps better known as Luiz Gabriel Lopes, erstwhile member of groups like the post-tropicália outfit, Graveola. With a raft of albums as both band member and solo artist, here he partners with the equally peripatetic and multi-faceted Portuguese musician, Edgar Valente, in the project they call Aiê. Mainly just together but occasionally supplemented by guests like co-producer Guilherme Kastrup, they have created a sparkling gem, whose keynote is LUIZGA’s prominent acoustic guitar and the pair’s close vocal harmonies. ‘Obaluaê’, for example, is sung a cappella, while you could be listening to some exotic Crosby & Nash duo on the gorgeous ‘Águas de Oxalá’. Yet, there is often a palpable sense of drama, with the admixture for example of the haunting violin and other somewhat disconcerting sounds on the terrific single, ‘Haux Haux’; or the striking use of clay udu drums on ‘Odé’; or the barking dog at the end of ‘Miração’, a folk-ish song that leaves you with a feeling that there’s more here than meets the ear. These ten intricately performed and produced numbers, plus Carolina Mandrágora’s exquisite artwork for the accompanying booklet, add up to something of real value.