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Djavan

Born into a poor family in Maceió (capital of Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil), Djavan formed the group Luz, Som, Dimensão (LSD – "Light, Sound, Dimension"), playing Beatles' singles. In 1973, Djavan moved to Rio de Janeiro and started singing in local nightclubs. After competing in several festivals, he gained attention and recorded the album A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan in 1976. The album included the song "Flor de Lis," which became one of his most memorable hits. Albums that followed included his other musical influence, African music, and additional hits followed, such as "Açaí", "Sina," and "Samurai," which featured Stevie Wonder's harmonica. Among his best-known compositions are: "Flor de lis", "Meu Bem Querer," "Oceano," "Se...," "Faltando um Pedaço," "Esquinas," "Te devoro," and "Serrado".

Djavan's compositions have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, The Manhattan Transfer, Aaron Goldberg, Loredana Bertè, Eliane Elias, Bob Baldwin, Lee Ritenour; and in Brazil by Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi and Nana Caymmi (son and daughter of Dorival Caymmi), Lenine, João Bosco, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, and other artists. The 1988, Epic Records single, "Stephen's Kingdom," featured a guest appearance from Stevie Wonder.

In 1998, Djavan contributed "Dukeles" to the AIDS benefit compilation album Onda Sonora: Red Hot + Lisbon produced by the Red Hot Organization.

In 1999, his live concert double-volume album, Ao Vivo, sold 1.2 million copies and the song, "Acelerou" became the Brazilian Song of the Year at the 2000 Latin Grammy Awards. In 2016, he was nominated for the 2016 Grammy Awards in the Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Portuguese Language Song and Best Singer-Songwriter Album categories Source: Wikipedia

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Album Review

Eliane Elias: Time And Again

Read "Time And Again" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Internationally-renowned Brazilian jazz pianist and vocalist Eliane Elias presents her third recording on the Candid label--and the 32nd release of her long and distinguished career--on the innovative and creative Time and Again, a collection of eight new original sambas, which feature her piano, keyboards and singing in both English and Portuguese. As Mark Wexler, head of Candid Records states, “With each recording, Elaine proves she has no boundaries and showcases her mastery of song, musicianship and vocalese. She is an ...

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