Rating:
Genre:
Latin
Release Date: 10/13/2009
Sim is
Vanessa da Mata's third album and the first after the huge commercial success of
Essa Boneca Tem Manual, from 2004. If
Essa Boneca Tem Manual was a blatant, although undeniably very successful, appeal to pure commercialism and the radio hit lists,
Sim is a firm step back towards a more intellectual approach to
Brazilian pop music.
Liminha, who produced the last album, has been substituted by the hip and hyped production duo
Kassin and
Mario Caldato. As usual when
Kassin is involved, the result is an excellent and very fresh sounding production which manages to give a very modern impression without appearing fake or overproduced.
Sim was partly recorded in Jamaica, and
reggae is indeed one of the primary themes of the album.
"Vermelho," "Ilegais," and
"Absurdo" are all pure
reggae songs. And as a bonus,
Sly & Robbie, one of Jamaica's most acclaimed and prolific producer teams, contribute on five tracks. A less welcome guest appearance is that of
Ben Harper, who lends his voice and English lyrics to
"Boa Sorte/Good Luck." The purpose of
Harper's presence is undoubtedly to keep the attention of the mainstream teenage crowd, who first discovered
da Mata through the success of
Essa Boneca Tem Manual. It has to be said, though, that in spite of
Harper,
"Boa Sorte/Good Luck" is actually a quite nice song. "Baú" with its imposing and danceable
Afro-beat is one of the real highlights of the album. As is the opening
reggae "Vermelho" and the romantic dance track
"Você Vai Me Destruir," written together with guitarist
Fernando Cacatau and flirting enthusiastically with '70s style
disco. Apart from the three
reggae tracks, the music on
Sim (for all its obvious
pop mannerisms) stands firmly rooted in the rich Brazilian music tradition, drawing from
samba, baião, coco and even brega. The album conclusion is a simple and sweet little song, where
da Mata is backed only by her own acoustic guitar.
~Philip Jandovský, All Music Guide
;)
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