Mel
Maria Bethânia · 1979
31 min · 12 tracks · música popular brasileira
A rich tapestry of Brazilian rhythms and poetic lyrics, blending samba with introspective melodies and emotive vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mel — The title track encapsulates the essence of the album, featuring lush arrangements that highlight Bethânia's emotive vocal style and lyrical depth.
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Ela e eu — This song presents a poignant narrative that merges personal reflection with broader societal themes, showcasing Bethânia's storytelling prowess.
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Grito de alerta — A politically charged piece, it serves as a call to awareness and action, reflecting the socio-political climate of Brazil during the late 1970s.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends rich Brazilian rhythms with emotive lyrics, showcasing strong vocal performances and cohesive song structure.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that sets a slow, reflective tone, followed by a series of mid-tempo songs that maintain this introspective mood.
- Several tracks feature intricate vocal harmonies and layered instrumentation, particularly in 'Gota de sangue' and 'Infinito desejo', which highlight the emotional delivery.
- The final three tracks gradually increase in tempo, creating a sense of uplift before concluding with the more subdued 'Queda d'água'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo listening flow
- poetic lyricism for reflection
- rich vocal textures to savor
- short tracks for quick sessions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy moments
- prefer longer album experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon releasing 'Mel', Maria Bethânia was already an established artist in Brazil, following her acclaimed debut album in 1965. This record came during a period when she was solidifying her influence in the Música Popular Brasileira scene, showcasing her artistry through diverse themes and collaborations.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gal Costa· Elis Regina· Caetano Veloso
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Mel 3:49
- 2 Ela e eu 2:21
- 3 Cheiro de amor 2:21
- 4 Da cor brasileira 2:56
- 5 Loucura 2:42
- 6 Gota de sangue 2:30
- 7 Grito de alerta 3:01
- 8 Lábios de mel 2:47
- 9 Amando sobre os jornais 2:20
- 10 Nenhum verão 2:42
- 11 Infinito desejo 2:45
- 12 Queda d'água 1:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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