Maracatus Batuques E Ladeiras

AMG Review of Maracatus Batuques E Ladeiras

Alvaro Neder
All Music Guide

If Alceu Valença has kept a faithful reverence to his Northeastern roots since his opening as an artist in 1968, and at the same time has renovated pop/contemporary grooves in his music, in this album he goes even deeper in his concept. All tracks except "Ladeiras" are propelled by genuine Northeastern rhythms, and the songs' structure, with exceptions, could be performed in any kind of groove -- they already had excellent contemporary instrumental backing with references to a multitude of idioms, from jazz to pop ballad. "Embolada" is a genuine representative of the genre, which anticipated ap by some centuries, and "Pétalas" (with Herbert Azul) received the Sharp prize as the Best Song of the Year.