Balmy Breezes and Brazilian Melodies


June officially opens the summer season in Chicago and that means a schedule packed with street festivals, outdoor cafes and of course, the beach. I don't know what it is but whenever the weather turns balmy, my thoughts turn to Brazil.  Memories of salty air swirling over my skin, sipping fresh cashew juice and samba beats vibrating through the air, keep running through my mind. For me, nothing captures the energy of Brazil like the music so I've been listening to one of my favorite Brazilian artists, Ceu.  Her name means sky in Portuguese and her easy blend of bossa nova, African rhythms and jazz stylings recalls the the dreamy blue Brazilian sky I remember, pictured above. Check out her video for "Malemolencia" below. What's your soundtrack for the summer?

Comments

A Cuban In London said…
I almost saw Ceu back in April here in London. She has got such a unique voice and style. I had to make do with watching her on Jools Holland on telly, but still she came on very strong.

Thanks for your comment. You gave me food for thought. I do agree with you that artists can get a bit too emotional (and irrational, and judgemental as a consequence), I just think sometimes that critics, especially art critis should try to be seen making art and not just writing about it. :-)

Greetings from London.
June 6, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Fly Girl said…
Cubano, Ceu's voice is very memorable, I saw her for the first time years ago and have loved her ever since. The thing about critics is that if they started making art, that distance to be objective would be gone.
June 6, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Andrew Graeme Gould said…
Enjoy your summer festivals, as we head into winter down here, Rosalind. Brazil is firmly on my destination list, now that I'm so close to it here. Thanks for the lead on this singer, too.
June 6, 2012 at 11:18 PM
laradunston said…
Ah, wonderful... winter here in Australia. You're making me miss summer already.
June 7, 2012 at 2:39 AM
Fly Girl said…
Andrew, thanks. An Aussie winter isn't as bad as a Chicago winter so have fun!

Lara,I think you can jet to a warmer climate for research to avoid too much of the Aussie winter.
June 7, 2012 at 6:42 AM
Anonymous said…
Hey, I'm from Brazil and I loved this post, specially because of Céu's Malemolência! I have this travel blog and I would like to know if you'd want to be partners with me. Give me a response even if it's a "no". Bye.
June 11, 2012 at 8:24 AM
Fly Girl said…
Anonymous, thanks for stopping by, I love my Brazilians! I'll stop by.
June 11, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Angela said…
You so make me miss Brazil, I can't wait to go back!
June 12, 2012 at 8:33 AM
Fly Girl said…
Angela, I always miss Brazil unless I'm there!
June 12, 2012 at 8:58 AM
Mary Richardson said…
Thanks for introducing this artist. I really enjoy brazilian singers, so it's fun to hear about a new musician. My soundtrack for summer has been the alt latino selections on NPR.
June 18, 2012 at 7:46 AM
Fly Girl said…
Mary, NPR is a good resource and Latin music always seems to represent summer to me as well.
June 18, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Ekua said…
Ah, just took me back to Bahia! I miss that place so much... capoeiristas on the beach and samba reggae drumming in the Pelourinho. Such good times. Saw Ceu live awhile back and it was great but haven't heard anything about her touring here since!
June 26, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Fly Girl said…
Ekua, Bahia is unforgettable! Ceu actually has a new album and she is on tour. She was actually in Chicago last month but I missed her.
June 26, 2012 at 5:54 PM
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