Pedro Zopelar could have been given some attention last year at the latest. With »Joy of Missing Out«, the producer from São Paulo released a cassette whose mixture of Brazilian-influenced synthesiser jazz and hip hop breaks sounded almost out of time, but at the same time very sexy. You can catch up on all that this year and start right away with his latest album »Universo«, a bossa fusion update in the tradition of Marcos Valle, only a bit more raw. Again, synthesizers are the dominant instrument, whereby Zopelar seems to have devoted himself especially to the digital sound of the Yamaha DX7. On the cover he can be seen in several copies, as he has to carry heavily on the FM synthesizer from the eighties. However, analogue electronic devices are by no means frowned upon by him. In »Fire Pit«, the acid bubble source of the Roland TB-303 is even prominently used. What has been tightened up on »Universo« compared to last year is the rhythm programming. The drum machines now have hard edges, preferring to build an electro foundation, the hip hop disappears somewhat from the focus. From this, Zopelar likes to create crude contrasts, for example in his cover version of the Weather Report classic »Teen Town«, which he calls »Cidade Jovem«: to a violently clattering beat, he reconstructs the groove of Jaco Pastorius’ bass on the keys, and does so successfully. One first has to dare to do this. A record that can be as addictive as very, very good chocolate.
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