With the release of her debut album, Tanto Tempo in 2000 and
a remix volume issued a year later, Bebel Gilberto introduced the world to an
important new voice. Previously the singer had appeared alongside some of the
most respected artists of our time, including Caetano Veloso and David Byrne,
and cutting edge experimenters like Deee Lite's Towa Tei and Thievery
Corporation. In the wake of the success of Tanto Tempo, Gilberto, the daughter
of Joao Gilberto and MiĆcha, had a cultural phenomenon on her hands. Mindful of
tradition, Bebel nevertheless has her eye fixed squarely on the horizon.
On Bebel Gilberto, recorded by producer Marius de Vries
(Madonna, Bjork, Annie Lennox), Gilberto reveals herself as an artist with a
sound and voice all her own. Thus, the title: "I decided to call the album Bebel
Gilberto because I think it's important to make a statement with my name,"
Gilberto says. A truly international affair, Bebel Gilberto was recorded in New
York, London, (with an entire string section!) Salvador (Bahia) and Rio de
Janeiro. Yet it all reads as a whole -- a portrait of an artist continuing to
grow and find her way, with confidence and curiosity.
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