GUINGA & ALDIR BLANC - Simples e Absurdo (1991) Mp3

Guinga is one of the best composers discovered in the late 20th century in Brazil, in spite of his some decades in the business. His music is deeply Brazilian and he never resorts to clichés or commercial tricks. On the contrary, his angular melodies and uncanny harmonic progressions, deeply influenced by modern erudite music, over sambas, choros, and canções, are challenging both for performers and audiences. This is his very first solo album and has all lyrics by Aldir Blanc -- as always, excellent urban chronicles in poetry. On this album, Guinga's own violão (which excels both in harmonizing and improvising) is joined by such talents as Chico Buarque, Cláudio Nucci, Leila Pinheiro, Paulinho Malaguti, Ivan Lins, Zé Renato, Leny Andrade, Be Happy, and others. by Alvaro Neder

GUINGA - Delírio Carioca (1993) Mp3

Guinga is a wonderful composer who has to survive as a dentist in Brazil because of lack of interest of the recording industry in his music, a sincere declaration of love to Brazilian culture not ashamed of using erudite music achievements. Since 1967 (in the II FIC) having one feet in the music scenery, only in 1991 recorded his first solo album, Simples e absurdo. This is his second solo effort, and he counted here with special guests Djavan, Boca Livre and Leila Pinheiro in it. Guinga's music is a complex creation, where intricate harmonies serve as unstable support for unusual, hard to sing melodies. The instrumental side is his great concern, and orchestral treatments predominate here. The lyrics, he puts the responsibility for them in the hands of some of the most capable Carioca writers: Aldir Blanc, all songs, with exception of "Passarinhadeira" (with Paulo César Pinheiro). Guinga has a crush for profound, doleful melodies. More rhythmic songs are "Par ou ímpar," "Catavento e Girassol," the frevo "Henriquieto" (displaying his virtuosity at the violão), the choro "Choro pro Zé," and the baiões "Nítido e obscuro" and "Baião de Lacan." Guinga is one of the few popular composers/musicians who really expand the Brazilian musical tradition to reach the recording market, which dabbles with disposable trends almost all the time. by Alvaro Neder 

GUINGA - Cheio de Dedos (1996) Mp3

This is the third CD of Carioca dentist Guinga (Carlos Althier de Souza, 46) in his belated discography, which was awarded with three Sharp prizes. Intended to be a cultural chronicle of Rio de Janeiro, it has the genre choro as a glue for all the whole. Respecting the tradition and modernizing it at the same time, it brings a inventively crafted harmony together with angular melody lines directly descended from classical achievements of the 20th century. The sophisticated arrangements never compromise, offering a real obstacle for the average listener, harassed by easy listening these days. Paying tribute to distinguished musicians (who had always made the choro an important part of their lives), Jacob do Bandolim, Rafael Rabelo, and Villa-Lobos, from the 15 recorded tracks only two are sung: "Ária de Opereta," interpreted by funk singer Ed Motta in an expressive and heartfelt rendition, and "Impressionados," a choro that makes reference to the impressionist movement, delivered by Chico Buarque. The overall result is at the same time perfectionism and spontaneity: Guinga doesn't edit his songs after written. "Me Gusta A Lagosta" enriches the musical landscape with an Afro-Cuban rendition delivered by pianist Chano Dominguez, string section Diapason, and percussionist Eladio Amat. Modern Brazilian popular music at it's best. by Alvaro Neder  

GUINGA - Suíte Leopoldina (2000) Mp3

Comparable to New York's Penn Station or Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, Leopoldina Station is a major train station in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Just as a New Yorker would venture to Penn Station to take a train to the suburbs of Long Island or Northern New Jersey, Leopoldina Station is where a carioca would catch a train to Rio's suburbs. By calling this CD Suite Leopoldina, Brazilian guitarist Guinga is celebrating his Rio background. All of the tunes that Guinga wrote or co-wrote for this album, recorded in late 1998 and early 1999, have a strong Rio orientation. Whether he is playing samba or choro, whether he is embracing instrumental Brazilian jazz or jazz-influenced Brazilian pop, the guitarist is consistently Rio-minded on Suite Leopoldina. And it's important to emphasize the Rio connection because carioca music is distinctive; Guinga might admire the Brazilian pop and jazz sounds coming out of Salvador or São Paulo, but this ultra-melodic CD is distinctly Rio. That is true of the album's instrumentals as well as the tracks that feature vocalists, who include Alceu Valenca, Ed Motta, and the influential Ivan Lins. Guinga's love of jazz is strong; he features harmonica player Toots Thielemans on two instrumentals ("Constance" and "Dos Anjos") and pays tribute to Charles Mingus on "Mingus Samba" (which features vocalist Lenine). Excellent from start to finish, Suite Leopoldina is enthusiastically recommended to anyone who treasures the Rio school of Brazilian jazz and pop. by Alex Henderson  

GUINGA - Cine Baronesa (2001) Mp3

An accomplished guitarist, vocalist, and composer, this 2001 Latin Grammy nominee is widely considered one of the finest musical talents to emerge from Brazil in the 1990s. Cine Baronesa, Guinga's fifth CD, shows why, with 13 elegant songs that explore styles ranging from samba and choro to blues and waltz without ever missing a step. The opening track, "Melodia Branca," which the artist wrote for his daughter, is almost devastating in its poetic beauty, with Gilson Peranzzetta's warm piano and lush string arrangement unveiling an emotionally resonant waltz. Even more potent is Guinga's solo guitar version of the tune on the closing track, which is sure to melt any romantic's heart. The rest of Cine Baronesa is equally beautiful, from the bluesy balladry of jazz-influenced "Yes, Zé Manés" to the lively samba feel of "No Fundo Do Rio." The sound may a bit too smooth for those who prefer more of an Afro-Brazilian vibe, as most of those tunes are designed to set a sultry, sentimental mood perfect for quiet evenings by the fire. But if you're in the mood for love, Cine Baronesa makes for a wonderfully romantic soundtrack. by Bret Love

GUINGA - Noturno Copacabana (2003) Mp3

GABRIELE MIRABASSI & GUINGA - Graffiando Vento (2004) Mp3

GUINGA - Casa de Villa (2006) Mp3

GUINGA - Dialetto Carioca (2007) Mp3

GUINGA & PAULO SÉRGIO SANTOS - Saudade do Cordão (2009) Mp3

GUINGA + QUINTETO VILLA-LOBOS - Rasgando a Seda (2012) Mp3

FRANCIS HIME E GUINGA - Francis e Guinga (2013) Mp3

GUINGA - Roendopinho (2014) Mp3

GUINGA & MARIA JOÃO - Mar Afora (2015) Mp3

GUINGA - Porto da Madama (2017) Mp3

GUINGA + QUARTETO CARLOS GOMES - Avenida Atlântica (2017) Mp3

GUINGA - Canção da Impermanência (2017) Mp3

STEFANIA TALLINI / GUINGA - Intimidade (2017) Mp3

GUINGA & GABRIELE MIRABASSI - Passos e Assovio (2018) 24-96 / FLAC (tracks)