Night Dreamer Direct-To-Disc Sessions

The friendship between Seu Jorge and Rogê goes back 25 years when the two aspiring musicians met at a gig in Rio de Janeiro. Since then Seu Jorge has become one of the most well-known Brazilian musicians internationally, aided by starring roles in City of God and the love for his Portuguese versions of David Bowie songs. Rogê's star has not burned so bright globally, though he is massively respected in samba circles, reigning supreme in Rio's samba clubs for many years. The two previously collaborated extensively on Seu Jorge's Músicas Para Churrasco Vol 1, but whereas that was an ebullient collection of funky sambas, this is much starker, a moody collection mainly featuring the duo's guitars and vocals, with occasional percussion.

Opening track ‘Saravá’ is as funky as it gets, the duo whipping up a Jorge Ben groove. Later, they evoke the mystical roving guitars of Baden Powell's Os Afro-Sambas on ‘A Força’, and generally opt for subdued sambas that speak of brotherly love and nostalgically of Brazil and Rio. With the two of them now living in Los Angeles, it's hard to get away from feeling this is a love letter to a Brazil they know no longer exists.