Reviews

"The most ancient pertubations of the human soul were those of religiousness and of musical creation. In India, more than anywhere else, these two spiritual excitements stimulated each other. But, even in arrogant Europe, Bach, surrendered to religious-musical feeling, proposing an unusual ecumenicalism to being protestant and composed a Mass. In the same way, Mozart, being a Freemason, put music to Catholic religious texts. The ancient, vibrant, mystical idea now introduced by "HOMEM DE BEM", with his elaborate sophistication, reveals something really new in our music."

Maestro Julio Medaglia, artistic director of Rio's Municipal Theatre and intellectual mentor of the movement which became known as Tropicalia, based on the name of the song by Caetano Veloso for whom the maestro wrote the arrangements.

"People complain that the mass popularization of musical production, along with the industrialization of the cultural roots of music -- with record companies using radio stations to saturate the airwaves -- has bumped Brazilian music into the background, if not made it completely inaudible.

Current trends show us that all the big shows in Brazil are on a par with Rock in Rio, events in which millions listen to foreigners play mediocre music. Meanwhile, those of us who make quality music are out of sight and out of mind. But these forgotten artists are the ones making the best music. And even though they haven't been able to use the media to reach a wider audience, they are persevering nonetheless.

This TV program featuring TOMAZ LIMA is an exception to the rule. It's a sophisticated brazilian sound mixed with international and, in particular, Eastern elements. In short, it's creative, high-quality music.

For this reason, we are experiencing a unique moment in contemporary Brazilian music, a sound which survives by isolating itself from a gigantic industry which ruthlessly undermines Brazil's social and cultural values. But this same industry will have to grudgingly give in to this higher-quality music. And this is among the first times that such music is being broadcast on TV."

Maestro Julio Medaglia

"The Brazilian group "HOMEM DE BEM" opened the show, performing Indian mantras with lyrics in sanscrit, giving an original connotation to the interpretations, making them an astounding success... The public became enthralled and, during the encore, congregated at the front of the stage, clapping and dancing, while the musicians showered them with rose petals. Hindu music has its particular characteristics which define an age-old tradition which has been fascinating and influencing countless Western artists. Attracted to this rich source, HOMEM DE BEM explores little-known paths, along with reaffirming the celebrated versatility of the Brazilian musician."

Jose Domingos Raffaelli, music critic, O GLOBO newspaper.

"One of the most strangely beautiful concerts that Rio de Janeiro has offered its public in a long time... a rarely-equally sound quality."

Mauro Dias, music critic, O ESTADO DE SAO PAULO newspaper.

"Song of India" is one of the most beautiful recordings that my ears, tired of the same of old sounds, have ever heard. Tomaz's guitar stands out as one of the country's best, as much for its musicality as for its technical competence."

Ricardo Cravo Albim, writer, musicologist and founder of the Museum of Sound and Image

"The recital was top-notch. Musically-speaking, it's splendid. And the sound of the words is also a delight... creating a beautiful, shockingly vibrant fusion of India, African and Latin America sounds."

Diana Aragao, music critic, O GLOBO newspaper.

"A sound which is, at the same time, intimate and removed... is always welcomed in these delicate times... with such qualities, it's possible to enthrall an audience at any latitude."

Elias Fajardo, music critic, JORNAL DO BRASIL newspaper. A three-star rating, winning an entertainment section recommendation.

"With the suggestive artistic name "Homem de Bem" ("Honourable Man"), musician Tomaz Lima continues to shape his sonorous oasis. His CD, generally based on eastern themes, exceed the limits of most new-age recordings and serve up music for meditation and spiritual uplift without sacrificing performance quality".

Kiko Ferreira, music critic for the O Estado de Minas newspaper.

The Hindus conceive of the world as a "vibrant illumination".

The Greeks, looking at the firmament, heard the "harmony of the spheres."

Music is the vibration of the soul.

Even the animals need music.

There are those who say that the stones sing.

Plants, silently, grow better with Mozart.

Nature is organic, mineral and vegetable music.

We hear the music of the rivers, forest and mountains.

The world is visible melody.

And the most attentive hear The Absolute.

Affonso Romano de Sant'Anna, poet. Text written for the invitation of the HOMEM DE BEM show on the Morro da Urca mountain (Sugar Loaf) to celebrate World Environment Day, 1990, sponsored by The Chase Manhattan Bank.

Reviews: Reviews

Reviews

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Maestro Julio Medaglia, artistic director of Rio's Municipal Theatre and intellectual mentor of the movement which became known as Tropicalia, based on the name of the song by Caetano Veloso for whom the maestro wrote the arrangements.

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"People complain that the mass popularization of musical production, along with the industrialization of the cultural roots of music -- with record companies using radio stations to saturate the airwaves -- has bumped Brazilian music into the background, if not made it completely inaudible.

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This TV program featuring TOMAZ LIMA is an exception to the rule. It's a sophisticated brazilian sound mixed with international and, in particular, Eastern elements. In short, it's creative, high-quality music.

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Maestro Julio Medaglia

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Jose Domingos Raffaelli, music critic, O GLOBO newspaper.

"One of the most strangely beautiful concerts that Rio de Janeiro has offered its public in a long time... a rarely-equally sound quality."

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Mauro Dias, music critic, O ESTADO DE SAO PAULO newspaper.

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"Song of India" is one of the most beautiful recordings that my ears, tired of the same of old sounds, have ever heard. Tomaz's guitar stands out as one of the country's best, as much for its musicality as for its technical competence."

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Ricardo Cravo Albim, writer, musicologist and founder of the Museum of Sound and Image

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"The recital was top-notch. Musically-speaking, it's splendid. And the sound of the words is also a delight... creating a beautiful, shockingly vibrant fusion of India, African and Latin America sounds."

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Diana Aragao, music critic, O GLOBO newspaper.

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"A sound which is, at the same time, intimate and removed... is always welcomed in these delicate times... with such qualities, it's possible to enthrall an audience at any latitude."

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Elias Fajardo, music critic, JORNAL DO BRASIL newspaper. A three-star rating, winning an entertainment section recommendation.

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Kiko Ferreira, music critic for the O Estado de Minas newspaper.

The Hindus conceive of the world as a "vibrant illumination".

The Greeks, looking at the firmament, heard the "harmony of the spheres."

Music is the vibration of the soul.

Even the animals need music.

There are those who say that the stones sing.

Plants, silently, grow better with Mozart.

Nature is organic, mineral and vegetable music.

We hear the music of the rivers, forest and mountains.

The world is visible melody.

And the most attentive hear The Absolute.

Affonso Romano de Sant'Anna, poet. Text written for the invitation of the HOMEM DE BEM show on the Morro da Urca mountain (Sugar Loaf) to celebrate World Environment Day, 1990, sponsored by The Chase Manhattan Bank.

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Mauro Dias, music critic, O ESTADO DE SAO PAULO newspaper.