Futuro

Artists

Album Info

Release Date: 1991

Label: Mesa

Recorded at Entourage Studios, North Hollywood
Recorded and Mixed on the Meyer HD-1 Monitors
Mixed at Master Control, Burbank
Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood

All songs published by Taiyo Music, Inc. and Hori Pro Inc.; except Track 3 Published by HoliPro Inc.

℗&© 1991 Taiyo Music, INc. & Horipro Inc.
Licensed by Mesa/Bluemoon Recordsings, Ltd.
Marketed by Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings, Ltd.
Distributed in the USA by Rhino Records, Inc., in Canada by BMG Music Canada, Inc.

Don Grusin and Alex Acuna appear by courtesy of GRP Records
Dori Caymmi appears by courtesy of Qwest Records.

Futuro wasn't Paulo Ramos' first album for Mesa/Bluemoon, but it is arguably his best and most essential album. The list of people who join the Brazilian pop singer on this CD is fairly impressive; the participants range from Brazilian star Dori Caymmi (whose acoustic guitar is heard is heard on the sensuous "Viajar Cancao") to American jazz musicians like keyboardist/pianist Don Grusin (Dave Grusin's brother) and saxophonist Gary Meek. But Futuro isn't jazz, although Ramos' Brazilian pop (which is called MPB, or musica popular braziliera in Brazil) does contain elements of jazz and funk. Those who might question Futuro's authenticity because it was recorded in Los Angeles and employs so many American musicians needn't worry; if you didn't read the credits, you could easily assume that "Chegando Ao Futuro," "Lembranca," and other melodic MPB jewels were recorded in Rio de Janeiro or São Paolo. And besides, it's hard to question Ramos' decision to record in L.A. when you consider how influential American pop, jazz, and funk have been all over Brazil. Ramos has learned some things from American music, and similarly, Brazilian music has been a source of inspiration for Americans who range from Stan Getz to George Duke. Most of Futuro's lyrics are in Portuguese, although "Sincopado" is a bilingual offering that finds Ramos performing a vocal duet with American singer Shelby Flint -- she sings in English, while he sticks to Portuguese (his primary language). And the tune becomes a memorable Brazilian/American exchange. Futuro is hardly the only Ramos album that's worth owning, but if you must limit yourself to only one Ramos release, Futuro is the disc to acquire.