For A Rainy Day Posted by djmaru

Arthur Verocai: Caboclo and Dedicada A Ela From Arthur Verocai [A&M, 1969] A recent Soulstrut post, and the fact that it's starting to rain in my neck of the woods has inspired me to post a couple of tracks from this overlooked Brazilian guitarist. Born Arthur Cortes Verocai in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 1945, Verocai studies music with Leo Soares, Darci Villaverde, Nair Barbosa da Silva, Roberto Menescai, and Vilma Graca. Strangers to most I'm sure, but they helped carve one fine guitarist. Verocai began his career as a musician and arranger, scoring music for the theater and orchesta, as well as arranging records for various Brazilian artist. His 1972 debut took his musical talents even further, creating dreamy arrangements of jazzy soul with hints of funk. "My opportunity came when I was recording this album. I created a rhythmic cell in the acoustic guitar with the harmonic line. I added bass and the non-conventional drums and the percussion with a very smooth orchestration in blocks (four trumpets and a flute) plus the delicate touch of the strings (12 violins, 4 violas and 4 cellos). By 1972 many of the musicians of my generation were feeling the same influences. Because of our exposure to all many musical influences, we put a distance between us and the conventional recording styles. " The result is quite a remarkable album, one that plays perfectly with a rainy day, or any occaision that calls for ethereal backdrops. I could post the whole album without hesitation, but if I had to pick a couple tracks these might be them. "Caboclo" is a sweet number, simple, yet unforgettable. "Dedicada a Ela" shows Verocai's arranging capabilities, starting slow and sultry before turning into a beautiful jazz piece. I'm normally not a huge fan of reissues, but for lost gems like these it's hard to resist, and the fact that originals fetch around $500 makes this one a no brainer. If anyone has an OG, holla!