CD Review: Fernanda Porto

Reviewed by: Gabriel Sosa

There are some albums I can listen to straight through. I place them in the stereo and let them play without skipping any songs or fast forwarding. A perfect example of one of these spectacular works is Brazilian musician Fernanda Porto's self-titled album, due for U.S. debut in September.

Porto, 33, works in Sao Paulo, a city that makes New York look like a small town. The genre of her music is a challenge to pinpoint, as she mixes bossa nova, techno, rock, samba and her brisk voice to create a unique symphony, all her own. Her repertoire of talent seems boundless, as Porto writes, produces, and plays all her own instruments.

I witnessed this talent last month at the conclusion of Miami's Brazilian Film Festival, where Fernanda Porto's concert at the Lincoln Theatre in Miami Beach was amazing. She played various songs from her first album, which was released on Brazil's Trama label. The last four songs were performed along with Japanese drum group Fushu Daiko. As the performance went on, an exciting atmosphere continued to grow. The show culminated with Porto and Fushu Daiko playing "1999," the profound last track on her album. The layering of Porto's dynamic voice and the ethereal reverberation of the large drums created an almost mystical ambience in the theatre and the show finished to the audience's applause. Absolutely superb, I must say.

The profound bossa nova influence in her music is immediately evident in the album's first track, "De Costas Pro Mundo," Portuguese for "With my back to the world." This charged first track, one of the album's singles, sets a positive tone for rest of the album, as she demonstrates a mature and concise energy, which is unusual for musicians on their first albums.

Porto takes the listener on a journey that extends to numerous realms of Brazilian music, including the sambaesque vibe of "Sambassim," the rhythms of northeast Brazil in "Baque Virado," and her cover of the classic "So Tinha de Ser Com Voce," originally by Brazilian diva Elis Regina.

The malleability of Porto's voice combined with the exquisite concoction of instruments make this album a most laudable and enjoyable listening experience. It is no surprise that Fernanda Porto is nominated for Best New Artist at this year's Latin Grammy Awards.

Past Headlining Articles:
August 2003: This land was made Nude & FREE
July 2003: Getting caught in the Fast Lane
June 2003: FCAT
May 2003: Legal Murder
April 2003: My Brother My Hero
March 2003: North Korea Crisis