dora morelenbaum: pique
Francisco Espregueira
Dora Morelenbaum is a rising star in Brazil's new musical wave and a member of the acclaimed Bala Desejo group. Last friday, via Mr Bongo has released her sensational solo debut album, Pique. This album showcases a new side to Morelenbaum's artistry, with a focus on funkier, groove-based tracks while maintaining her signature ethereal and enveloping sound.
Over 11 tracks Dora provides a very interesting, complete and beautiful picture of Brazilian music, touching with so much taste (and talent) in many different genres, sounding classic and modern at the same time. With its tight drumming, well-arranged horns and strings, and playful production touches, the album showcases true versatility and creativity, featuring collaborations with talented musicians from the contemporary Brazilian music scene, including her Bala Desejo bandmates and other renowned artists like Ana Frango Elétrico.
Dora’s parents Paula and Jaques Morelenbaum, who featured in countless recordings from Tom Jobim's Nova Banda and Ryuichi Sakamoto to Gal Costa and Gilberto Gil, join on the album through backing vocals and arrangement - which is a hint that helps us understand just how much of her life Dora gave here. The result is truly beautiful. Pique is available on vinyl and will be a timeless piece in anyone’s collection.
“Pique was an album made in motion and ended up being about just that. From the beginning, it was an album that sought to build new textures that are part of the sound landscape I envision ahead. And from these colours and textures, it builds bridges between a more traditional universe, sonically and poetically speaking, and a new perspective on songs”