Curyman

"11 songs that skip across the samba lexicon; gentle, funky, yearning, centred on hope and our connection to nature and the orixás (deities). Rogê's master stroke was to coax hallowed arranger Arthur Verocai to overdub strings. Verocai is a veteran of the golden age of 70s tropicalismo and singers such as Jorge Ben and Caetano Veloso, and that era's joyous spirit shines through on lush but sprightly pieces such as opener Pra Vida and Mistério da Raça. An exuberant, heartwarming creation".

Read review

"We last heard from Roger José Cury on 2020's 'Night Dreamer Direct-To-Disc Session' with Seu Jorge, a unique collaboration between two fellow travellers who have taken the sounds of samba and bossa nova and dressed them in an expansive new global delivery ... [Here,] acoustic samba-funk ("Eu Gosta Dela") nestles alongside spine-tingling guitar-picking ("Câmara"), hauntingly orchestrated minor-key ballads ("Yemanjá") and sun-baked psychedelia ("Existe Uma Voz"). Although he sings entirely in Portuguese, the relaxed and intoxicating ambience transcends the language barrier".

"A cursory listen to these 11 tracks suggests a lost classic from the golden age of Música Popular Brasileira. But delve a little deeper and you discover that producer Thomas Brenneck is the Budos Band's guitarist and thus linked to Daptone Records - specialists in authentic retro sounds ... With Arthur Verocai recruited for string arrangements, the result is indeed retro, but unquestionably authentic. Sung in Rogê's distinctive raspy vocal style that occasionally suggests Seu Jorge, played with an emphasis on vigorous acoustic guitar, and often backed with a female chorus, the soulful songs are samba-funky and strong in melody ... An original, contemporary album brimming with memorable songs and sumptuous arrangements".