She’s sold over 20 million albums in Brazil, but vocalist Daniela Mercury hasn’t yet made a dent here in the states. Yet.
This latest album mixes the earthy allure of Brazilian samba, and Mercury also adds pop sensibilities to give the sound a broader access. There are bouncy and upbeat grooves for her warm and embracing voice on “A Rainha Do Axe.” And exuberant choruses chime in on the optimistic “Maria Casaria.” She has a defiant exclamation with a rich guitar and well produced support on “Alegria E Lamento” but sounds best when she is intimate and vulnerable as she joins with traditional folk strums on ”Sem Argumento.
Some hard edged electric guitar delivers a rough and ready
Antropofagicon Sao Paulistanios” and some R&B a la Stevie Wonder adds some Motown synth soul to “O Riso De Deus” while vocal percussion and hand claps make things cozy on”De Deus, De Alah, De Gilberto.” She even sings in English, working her way into the States, but it’s the local flavors that will make you come back for more.
DRG Records