SITTI NAVARRO : Contagious

SITTI NAVARRO
Aproveitando o embalo da postagem da Josee Koning, aqui vai mais uma, (ainda desconhecida do público brasileiro), cantora de bossa-nova, diretamente das Filipinas. Durante algum tempo, as americanas Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzerald & Sarah Vaughan se apropriaram do repertório da bossa nova. Depois, vieram Diana Krall, Karrin Allyson, Patricia Barber e minha saudosa amiga Susannah McCorkle - entre tantas outras. Agora, entra em cena a graciosa Sitti Navarro, linda morena das filipinas, navegando nas mesmas águas mansas de Astrud Gilberto e Lisa Ono.
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SITTI NAVARRO
Sitti Navarro (born November 29, 1984),"Queen Of Bossa Nova" is a Filipino bossa nova singer. Sitti Navarro was born in Manila, Philippines. She graduated from the University of the Philippines in April 2005 with a degree in Business Economics and was a dean's lister at the same university. Since the age of 16, Sitti has been performing gigs at the Hyatt Calesa Bar and others. Although it was her dream to be a TV host, she is now one of the Philippines' newest singers. In 2004, MTV Philippines started "MTV Supahstar: D' Super Search", where Sitti was one of the winners. Her debut album, Café Bossa, was released in 2006. Four songs have been released': "Tattooed On My Mind", a remake of the D'Sound hit; "Hey Look At The Sun", "I Didn't Know I Was Looking for Love", and "Para Sa Akin". She is also known for her version of "One Note Samba", originally performed by bossa nova queen Astrud Gilberto, whom Sitti idolizes. In the second quarter of 2009, Sitti released her third studio album entitled "Contagious".ou Look At Me".
(Source: wikipedia - edited by CB)
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ALBUM REVIEW
Sitti - Contagious album reviewBeautiful and some surprising songs have been selected for Contagious. The album begins with “Your Love Is King”, a famous hit of Sade from her 1984’s “Diamond Life” album. It’s nice to hear the bossa version of this classic soulful smooth jazz through Sitti and the band. “How Insensitive” or
also famously known as “Insensatez” is a bossa standard written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, while the English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel. Many great singers and musicians have placed their signatures on this song from time to time, but it’s still nice to hear Sitti’s interpretation on this
classic song presented in the bossa lounge style. Sarah McLachlan’s “Adia” is the third song. For me this song originally has bossa sense in it, and now Sitti delivers it. She did well on the bossa version of Adia. For Bossa fans, the song “Chega De Saudade” is very important. Some claimed that this song is the first ever
Bossa Nova song. Whether it’s true or not, “Chega De Saudade” is listed among the earliest Bossa and is still popular until now. The legendary duo Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes wrote this song, and became popular through João Gilberto’s haunting interpretation. Again, many great artists have taken this song
in their albums, one of my personal pick is Eliane Elias‘ version, and now Sitti brings it into the new joyful and playful version. “A Certain Sadness” is a song taken from Astrud Gilberto and Walter Wanderley’s album, released in 1966 exactly at the height of Bossa Nova hype in USA. Sitti sings this ballad beautifully, starts it
only with acoustic guitar and goes smooth with the band to the end. Nice flowing song on this one. “So Em Teus Braços” is taken from Jobim songbook that was delivered lovely, accompanied by acoustic guitar only. The timeless “Dindi” is next. Again taken from Jobim’s collection and has been brought by many great artists
such as Frank Sinatra, Astrud Gilberto, Claudine Longet, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, to Lee Ritenour, Jane Monheit, Meja and many more. A simple interpretation focusing only on the beauty of melody and lyrics was offered by Sitti and the band this time, ending with interesting free improvisation in faster tempo near the
end. The ever lovely song “La-La (Means I Love You)” that has been popular through “Swing Out Sister” version comes in smooth breezing bossa. One of the surprising selected songs is next. It’s Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”. Still
remember how Boy George’s voice led this song to fame, now Sitti gives her flavor in bossa tune, and surprisingly it works well. Another surprise comes right on the next one. It’s Annie Lennox‘ hit “No More I Love You”. Unlike the Lennox’ soaring interpretation, Sitti chooses to bring it as smooth ballad. A song taken from
the late Mike Francis (real name: Francesco Puccioni) hit in 1984, “Let Me In” continues. This song turns out really different from the original Mike Francis version in the new adorable bossa outfit. A Basia medley of two songs appears next. “Promises” and “A New Day for You” serves in lively fast beat percussions. “One on
One”, one of the “blue-eyed soul” hits of duo Hall & Oates delivers in sweet tasty bossa but still with capturing the soulful and smooth groove from the original. A song written by Meredith Wilson in 1957 named “Till There Was You” for a Broadway play is the second last song of Contagious. This song is well remembered through
The Beatles version. If you recall this famous version sung by Paul McCartney, it has already had bossa flavor and jazzy guitar play from that moment by The Beatles. Sitti renewed the song in a cool and passionate way. The last song is the most interesting coversong for me. “Bossa Nova Baby” was made popular by the undisputed King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley. You’ll find this song if you watch Elvis’ movie “Fun in Acapulco” 1963, starring Elvis Presley and Ursulla Andress). As the movie was set in Acapulco, it was one of the movies that captured the early hype of Bossa in USA. Elvis Presley sang “Bossa Nova Baby” as one of the soundtrack for this movie, having rock and roll rooted deeply in bossa. It was hella fun with Elvis, so is with Sitti. It’s a nice showcase of rock n rollin’ bossa, how these two very different genres can be blended in harmoniously. I love this one the most, paying a tribute to Elvis and his heyday brilliantly without losing any essence that has made
this song stand tall until today. Obviously, 16 interesting selected songs have been packed in Sitti’s brand new album “Contagious”. It’s great to have Sitti back in the genre she’s best at. A “contagious” album definitely will grab the heart of many
listeners, from the loyal SiTTiZens to new ones. Even for those who think bossa has no place in modern trend; this album is really worth to have it. You might change your mind with this one. It’s great to see Sitti keep getting stronger and better after her illustrious 5 years career. Well, “The Philippines’ Queen of Bossa Nova”
is back with a remarkable album, ready to take us to feel the exotic and sexy bossa tunes that capture the soothing breeze of Brazilian’ beaches. With Sitti on “stage”, I’m sure bossa will still sound stronger in Philippines and Asia in general. Sitti’s brand new album “Contagious” is now available under Warner Music Philippines at all CD stores in Philippines. Are you ready to spread the bossa love?
(Source: jazzuality.com)
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MINHA OPINIÃO: o comentário aí em cima aborda tudo o que poderia ser dito acerca do álbum. A linguagem da bossa-nova, nos primórdios, era "coisa exclusivamente nossa" e deixava tontos os grandes músicos de jazz que vinham ao Rio de Janeiro beber na fonte. Hoje a BN é de domínio universal e qualquer pianista, guitarrista, baixista ou baterista, europeu, americano, japonês ou ...filipino" - minimamente competente - sabe exatamente o que fazer com as harmonias do "Maestro Soberano" & Cia. Por isto, os cuidadosos arranjos que emolduram a voz de SITTY, são extremamente bem urdidos e não deixam nada a desejar. Algumas faixas são cantadas em português, com um "accent" muito engraçadinho. Uma delícia o álbum da "gatinha" Sitty.
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SITTI NAVARRO : Contagious

PERSONNEL:
Sitti Navarro – vocals
Chito Servanez – piano
Erskine Basilio – nylon guitar
Sonny Teodoro – percussion
Rex Nogares – electric / upright bass
Archie Lacorte – saxophone, flute
Gian Vergel – drums

TRACKS/FAIXAS
1. Your Love Is King
2. How Insensitive
3. Is This Love
4. Adia
5. Chega De Saudade
6. A Certain Sadness
7. So Em Teus Bracos
8. Dindi
9. La La Means I Love You
10. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
12. Let Me In
13. Promises - A New Day For You (medley)
14. One On One
15. Till There Was You
16. Bossa Nova Baby