about
Nu e Puro is my interpretation of the thunderous groove of Maracatu Baque Virado which originates in the Brazilian northeast, specifically the state of Pernambuco. After my arrival in Olinda, Pernambuco and deepening my connection with the profound rhythm during the carnaval season back in 2019, I began to ponder just how one could compose Maracatu for solo guitar. After analyzing the various percussion instruments, experimenting with harmonic and melodic ideas and creating a way to actually play them on solo guitar, over five years later what I heard in my head has turned reality. Though the arrangement was for solo guitar, in my head I heard the booming percussion of a nation of maracatu accompanying it. I was quite fortunate for the producer (Flavio Marciano) who I worked with just so happened to be a percussionist along with his girlfriend (Rachel Mello) who was a percussionist specific to Maracatu. I contracted them to do the percussion and they went above and beyond anything I had imagined. Originally it was to be an instrumental tune but Flavio gave me the idea to compose a counter melody and write lyrics for it. I was open to the idea and got down to business. Maracatu is directly linked with the Afro-Brazilian religion of candomble which came across from Africa and I felt the lyrics should stay true to this connection. There are various orixas or gods in candomble, each having their purpose and power. The lyrics for this tune are a coversation between the orixa Nana and Oxala. According to Yoruba legend, the story goes that Oxala was attempting to create the humans with various materials and nothing was working when Nana advised him to use clay. I asked my friend and singer Bella Awari to back me up on the voice and she gave the mystical wisdom that the song needed.
lyrics
terra, barro, nasci nu, puro.... (earth, clay, born naked, pure)
No lago, meu barro, fica no fundo (In the lake, my mud, is at the bottom)
é bem maleavel moldar (Its very malleable to mold)
a raça, humana, criada, com lama ( the human race was made with mud)
A forma, ta feito, vai pelo mundo ( The form is made and will travel the world)
quando um sopro venta (When a wind blows)
(Coro)
Da terra brotou a vida (From the earth comes life)
do solo respirar (from the ground breathes)
luz do sol ilumina ( sunlight iluminates)
o vento espalhar (the wind spreads)
os corpos, humanos, livre e vivios ( the human bodies free and alive)
quando morrem vão regresar ( will return when they die)
A agua, da vida, a morte, na terra (the water, gives life, death in the earth)
Destino, final, sob o solo (Final destiny underground)
Abraçada a vida para (embraced life ends)
(Coro)
credits
released February 1, 2024
Vini De Groove - Composer, lyrics, seven string guitar, bandolim
Bella Awari- Female vocals
Rachel Mello- Alfaia, agbê, snare, whistle
Flavio Marciano- Alfaia, a-go-go, recording, mixing, mastering
license
all rights reserved
