Album Review: Dora Morelenbaum – ‘Pique’: a dynamic new MPB voice which really delivers.

Anyone who caught Bala Desejo’s set-of-the-day at WOMAD UK in the summer would’ve already noted the dynamic Dora Morelenbaum flying in the front line of this exuberant nu-tropicalia band. A vocalist, instrumentalist and composer she’s been at the epicentre of the surge of MPB powering out from Rio in the last few years, not only as part of the Bala Desejo team but also as a solo artist. Morelenbaum’s luscious, dramatic pop surfaced via the ‘Vento de Beirada’ EP last year and now she’s striding out once more with a debut album ‘Pique’ via Mr Bongo Records.

It’s an album that’s very much wedded to the close-knit creative new wave in Rio with co-production input from the illustrious Ana Frango Elétrico and her core band from the mega ‘Me Chama De Gato Que Eu Sou Sua’ record adding their indie pop thrust. Morelenbaum’s Bala Desejo compardres are also in the mix, especially Zé Ibarra who’s co-written some of the tunes, as has Caetano Veloso’s son Tom. Even her mum and dad, vocalist Paula and composer Jacques, join the collective. Having worked with many of the pioneers of contemporary Brazilian music including Tom Jobin, Gal Costa and Gilberto himself, their presence poignantly connects their daughter’s music of today with its heritage.

That’s not to say that ‘Pique’ veers towards the retro. The album references the ground-breaking classic pop of her home country but uses this source for sustenance, drawing on its imaginative range. So Dora Morelenbaum’s music is lush rather than lo-fi, orchestral without becoming overblown and slick but avoiding the sugary. Essentially as she says herself the collection was “made in motion and ended up being about just that”, an artist drawing on her many influences and crafting her own sophisticated sound.

The album begins with a statement of its ambition and scope, the exquisite dream balladry of Não Vou Te Esquecer. Soulful, sultry and relaxed, the clipped guitars, cooing harmonies and strolling pace lets Morelenbaum’s beautifully poised vocal whisper and wish in the open. That ability to shape a song shines throughout the album, no more so than on the orchestral Essa Confusão. Here her vocals glide with an effortless Gal Costa like fluidity as the Verocai/Jose Maura string-rich arrangement soothes then sweeps into eerie places. This is easy listening which demands attention and there’s no avoiding the spell.

One of the strengths of ‘Pique’ is that such detail and finesse also transfer onto the small- band tunes where De Frango and Morelenbaum’s production is focused on keeping the energy up. On A Melhor Saída, the sprightly pop-tones fizz along enticingly, Guilherme Lirio’s guitar tip-toeing alongside Luiz Otavio’s cosy Hammond while our vocalist swoons. The racy Caco then raises the temperature a few more degrees as it swings flamboyantly before slipping into a pepped up bossa. You sense a big band surge is never far away, that there is a tease going on and sure enough the song rockets home on a scatting, high speed, almost post-bop blow-out. A finish which is destined never to disappoint.

On this album the funk gets more upfront than on Morelenbaum’s down-tempo debut EP or even Bala Desejo’s opening statement. You can’t get much more deliciously pumping action than Sim, Não where the vocals purr, pout and scat as the clipped Meters-tight strut steps out. The honey-toned shimmy of Venha Comigo perhaps comes a close second. Written by upcoming indie rock shape-shifter Sophia Chablau, its smooth flow gets whisked up by swaggering hip-hop overtones just to make sure things don’t get too cosy.

Invention rather than convention are the drivers on ‘Pique’. The abstract, grainy, street lit imagery of the artwork sums up the spirit of an album that’s hi-gloss free, refreshingly honest and bustling with ideas. These twists, turns and surprises coming at you from all angles really push ‘Pique’ onto another level. There’s a stunning sequence of tracks from the skittering, live jazz workout of VW Blue through the drifting, stripped back pleading of Petricor and onto the mournful simplicity of the title track, which confirms Dora Morelenbaum’s emerging status.

Here’s a pop album that speaks for itself in a singular way from needle down to the closing track Nem Te Procurar, an airy, effortless, Philly-stringed disco twirl which leaves you hanging with its brisk shut down. Maybe such an exit is leaving the door open to next time and wherever Morelenbaum’s music takes her. For now though, you’ll want to stay with ‘Pique’ for a good while.

Get your copy of ‘Pique‘ by Dora Morelenbaum from your local record store or direct from Mr Bongo Records: HERE