CMJ (p.5) - "[Forro In The Dark] infuses the genre's warm acoustic guitars and breezy flutes with an urban energy."
Forro In The Dark: Gilmar Gomes, Davi Vieira, Smokey Hormel, Mauro Refosco, Guilherme Monteiro, Jorge Continentino.
Additional personnel: David Byrne (vocals, acoustic guitar); Bebel Gilberto (vocals); Sabina Sciubba (background vocals).
Recording information: 2006.
On its 2006 album, BONFIRES OF SAO JOAO, the New York City-based ensemble Forro in the Dark, which includes renowned guitarist Smokey Hormel, presents a lively set of songs performed in the festive "forro" style of northern Brazil. In addition to guest vocalists Bebel Gilberto (the lilting "Wandering Swallow") and Miho Hatori (the jaunty "Paraiba"), the record features two collaborations with David Byrne--the vibrant "Asa Branca" and the twangy "I Wish." For fans of Brazilian folk-influenced pop and Byrne's Luaka Bop label, this is manna from heaven.