What do we start with? | (Re)discover Marcos Valle

Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Astrud Gilberto sang his songs. His hits were remixed, sampled and played loudly in clubs. In six decades, he has released around thirty albums and composed nearly 600 pieces. A few hours before the passing of Marcos Valle, 81, living legend of Brazilian pop music, an overview of a monumental career in five albums.

O composer and cantor (1965)

The world is crazy about bossa nova and Marcos Valle has established himself at the age of 22 as one of the genre’s essentials. An almost instant classic, his song Verao Samba will soon be popularized in English by Astrud Gilberto, under the title So Nice (Summer Samba). This stripped-down record doesn’t do justice to Valle’s arranging talents, which would later become his trademark, but it launched his career in earnest. The same year, he toured the United States with the group Brazil 65, by the late Sergio Mendès, who had just passed away at the age of 83.

Garra (1971)

With GarraValle frees himself a little more from his bossa roots to explore the side of rock, baroque pop and psychedelia. The country is under military dictatorship and the stars of the tropicalist movement, led by Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, are in exile in London. Remaining in Brazil, Marcos Valle avoids being directly political, but the carelessness of Garra is only apparent. The singer-songwriter took the opportunity to broaden his palette, and will follow with a series of even more daring and non-commercial albums.

Marcos Valle (1983)

After a six-year voluntary exile in the United States (1975 to 1981), where he worked with Sarah Vaughan, Leon Ware, the group Chicago and his compatriot Eumir Deodato, Marcos Valle returned to success. This album of very “80s” funky-pop-samba music (synths, more electro rhythms) coincides with the gradual return of democracy in Brazil and is distinguished above all by the song Estrelarwhich established itself as a worldwide disco hit.

Stática (2010)

After a series of more discreet, even dispensable albums, the singer is back in force with the support of a trendy London label (Far Out Recordings), which has understood how to restore luster to him. With its lush arrangements, sophisticated samba grooves and jazz rock inflections, Stática turns out to be a great vintage. Almost 70 years old, Valle seduces a new generation of Brazilian music fans with his relaxed voice, his harmonic richness and his unstoppable melodic sense.

Excerpt from Papo de Malucoon Státicaby Marcos Valle

Acoustic T​ú​nel (2024)

Driven by a seemingly inexhaustible source of inspiration, Valle returns with an impeccable album, which combines 60 years of musical influences: samba, bossa nova, funk, pop, disco, jazz-rock, lark. At 80 years old, the songwriter seems as relevant as he is timeless. Rhythmically inventive, melodically catchy. And what’s more, he sings like a youngster on a beach in Rio… Seriously: we’d say he’s 30 years younger, and we’re not exaggerating. We want to know his secret.

Excerpt from Todo Dia Santoon Acoustic T​ú​nelby Marcos Valle

Marcos Valle at the Fairmount Theater this Thursday, 8 p.m.

Visit the event website