finetune artist: Virginia Rodrigues

b. 31 March 1964, Salvador De Bahia, Brazil. Growing up in extreme poverty (her mother was a street vendor), Rodrigues sang as a youth in church choirs and ceremonies of the "candombl" religious cult, while working as a beautician and a domestic. Progressing to work on a production with the Olodum Street Theatre Company, she was spotted by Caetano Veloso who, impressed by her rich, pure and passionate vocal style, acted as artistic director for her debut recording Sol Negro, that also featured guest appearances by Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento and Djavan. Released in 1997 the album had a highly distinctive choral style dubbed "chamber-samba". It was an instant world music hit, topping many critics best of the year lists. To promote the album she performed for the first time outside of the Bahia region, first in other parts of Brazil and then on an international tour which gained her further acclaim. N¢s, her second release, employed a similar stately and spiritual approach to the music associated with the annual carnival of her native Bahia. Veloso again acted as artistic director on a selection of beautiful interpretations of the songs of carnival groups such as Olodum and Il Aiy (who guest on one track). One of the stand-out tracks is "Uma Hist¢ria De If ", a song known internationally via the all-stops-out version by Margareth Menezes, but here given a typically mournful interpretation.

Listen to Virginia Rodrigues at Finetune.

(2000) Nos
(1997) Sol Negro

Black Sun
Moon, Moon, Moon, Moon
Carnival Dawn
Cherubim
Dry Land