“Sambalanço” - samba with dancing - evokes the groovy, steaming old school clubs of Lapa, Rio de Janerio

“Sambalanço” - samba with dancing - evokes the groovy, steaming old school clubs of Lapa, Rio de Janerio. ‘Miss Balanço’ is a full on rootsy samba record revitalised for the 21st century by the bold and beautiful Clara Moreno. The dancing girl for a contemporary Brazil turns her sensuous vocal to a genre she was born to re-interpret. Building on her critically acclaimed debut ‘Meu Samba Torto’ this captivating Brazilian star delivers her finest work to date, breathing life in to samba classics. Clara’s mother and Brazilian music icon Joyce produced the album and features alongside legends João Donato and Skowa while Orlandivo leads vocals on his original classic ‘Tamanco no Samba’. ‘Miss Balanço’ is an essential recording that looks back but with brilliant originality.

“Samba has always been in my heart. Having flirted with various styles, from electronic to Bossa Nova, when Joe Davis asked me for a new disc I saw the opportunity to explore Samba. We arrived at “Sambalanço”. I feel very comfortable with this music. Miss Balanço marks an exciting new phase in my career.” Clara Moreno, 2009.

Balance and passion, beauty and freedom, ‘Miss Balanço’ is the perfect Brazilian Dancing Girl. Clara Moreno embodies her image. A true carioca (daughter of Rio) born to make dancing music, Clara grew up immersed in Brazilian beats from samba to bossa nova, acid-jazz to psychadelia, folk to tropicalia. This “sambalanço” recording encompasses all while swinging with the samba spirit that runs deep through Clara – ‘Miss Balanço’ for a contemporary Brazil. This is music in the image of its maker. Clara Moreno is a bold and beautiful character - as gripping to watch as she is compelling to listen to. As one of her many swirling tattoos declares ‘Paz et Musica’ (Peace and Music) – it’s what she and many Brazilians devote themselves to. This jubilant long-player infuses samba and bossa nova with African traditions and jazz instrumentation, celebrating samba’s renaissance as the enduring rhythm of Brazilian life with a modern and unique twist.

Clara’s sixth album ‘Miss Balanço’ is the second recorded and released in the UK by Far Out Recordings. The daughter of iconic Brazilian singer songwriter Joyce and composer Nelson Angelo Moreno Clara’s career began performing backing vocals in children’s choirs for artists such as Milton Nascimento and Egberto Gismonti before moving to study music in Paris aged 18. Moreno returned to Brazil and in 1996 recorded her eponymous debut CD. With the release of her fourth album ‘Morena Bossa Nova’ she experimented with electronic music to create an album with a contemporary take on bossa nova. In 2007 Clara recorded her first album with Far Out in the UK ‘Meu Samba Torto’ and the stripped down tribute to her musical heritage drew wide critical acclaim from the British press.

‘Miss Balanço’ features a stellar line-up of Brazilian musicians ‘brought together by Clara and producer Joyce. Of the Sao Paulo Na Cena Studio sessions Clara says, “Everything was recorded live and during the recordings I shared amazing moments with great personalities of the MPB including John Donato, Joyce, Tutty Moreno, Orlando, Skowa.” Taking on Brazilian Samba classics from legends Jorge Ben, Elza Soares, Joao Donato and Gilberto Gil, Moreno has created a record that not only does the originals justice but stands alone as a distinctive and significant global album. ‘Miss Balanço’ is Clara Moreno’s most complete and rousing set thus far – her star continues to rise.

Miss Balanço is essential hip-swinging “Sambalanço” from the siren of new-school samba.