The second half of the 70s was incredible. In the world of pop music, everything became more swinging, danceable and polished. In Brazil, the Black Rio movement influenced even big names in MPB, such as Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, and national soul reached the mainstream, mainly through the holy trinity of the genre: Tim Maia, Hyldon and Cassiano.
In the early 1980s, Hyldon put on a show at Teatro Opinião in Rio de Janeiro, presenting a handful of new compositions, such as “Vadiagem” and “A última balada”. The exuberant instrumental accompaniment was provided by his friends from Azymuth, and the vocal support was provided by sisters Jussara and Jurema from Trio Ternura. Even Tim Maia appeared for a special guest appearance, on vocals and percussion. Both the strength of the new repertoire and the repercussion of the show caught the attention of Continental, which offered Hyldon a recording contract. With the material rehearsed and approved by the public, in 1981 the singer went into the studio to record his fourth album, Sabor de amor, with artistic direction by Pena Schmidt.
“Vem dança o samba” is a typical 80s samba-disco-boogie that, like anything by Azymuth from that period, will certainly shake up dance floors around the world, even if the DJ and everyone around him only pay attention to the irresistible rhythm and have no idea of the funny lyrics: “If you’re in need, your thing is samba / If you’re alone, come dance the samba / If you’re sick, your medicine is samba / If you want joy, come dance the samba”. “Vadiagem”, the opening theme, follows a similar path, but with a greater load of that AOR hedonism common to the productions of the time.
Hyldon's precise, sharp and elegant sense of melody in the composition and interpretation of his own ballads is also the highlight of the album, whether in the title track, in “Leva-la-ei”, “Siga o teu caminho”, “A última balada” or even in the progressive “Renascimento”. Other highlights are the sensual salsa soul of “Cubana”, the enchanting “São Conrado” and the profusion of attractive rhythms of “Amor na terra do berimbau”. The closing is with “Viveiro de Pássaros”.
This Rocinante/Três Selos edition is on 180g black vinyl and includes an envelope with lyrics and text by journalist and writer Bento Araujo, author of the Lindo Sonho Delirante book series.
• Black LP 180g*
• Simple cover
• Unpublished text by journalist Bento Araujo
• Envelope printed with letters
• Obi
Lado A
A1. Vadiagem (3:22)
A2. Sabor de amor (3:49)
A3. A última balada (2:56)
A4. Leva-la-ei (Like a bird flying) (3:24)
A5. Renascimento (2:44)
A6. Siga o teu caminho (3:42)
Lado B
B1. Cubana (3:54)
B2. São Conrado (3:08)
B3. Amor, riso e lágrimas (4:16)
B4. Amor na terra do berimbau (2:25)
B5. Vem dançar o samba (4:34)
B6. Viveiro de pássaros (1:57)