Documents from Gilberto Gil's Private Archive

BE AN INDIE WITH US OUR CATALOG includes SAMBA CARNAVAL POP MUSIC BRAZILIAN REGGAE WORLD MUSIC POP/DANCE BEAT and an important collection with the real best of BRAZILIAN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Contact us to know about our OVERSEAS LICENSE PROGRAMME BE AN INDIE WITH US Locate your next production in BRAZIL, and get our support to: RECORD IN RIO WITH US Best Studios (24/48ch.), Technicians, Musicians, Multimidia Stations, Brazilian Percussionists, Lyricists, Producers, plus hotels and transport. VIDEO MUSIC Best Locations and Studios Cameras (S-16/35), Set Lights, Photographers, Personel Agencies, Production Staff, plus hotels and transport WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOME YOU HERE 55 (021) 220-8515 55 (021) 220-3481 (CALL Mr. OCTAVIO PAES) LAS OPINIONS Cowwwwwww 5 collection of rap dance music from DJ International Multimedia, In April, Indie plans to start dropping product by U.S. acid- label Instinct Records NATASHA Established in 1993 by longtime industry players Connie Lopes and Felipe Llerena, this Rio label distributes Walt Disney Records in Brazil. The soundtrack to the Disney mega hit "The Lion King with singing stars Daniela Mercury and Jon Secada duetting in Portuguese, has passed the 100.000 sales mark Apart from its Disney activities, Natasha is concentrating on lour arcas: children's music (Natasha is releasing a musical ver sion of Brazil's most famous children's play, "Pluit, o Fantasminha," featuring four tracks recorded by Brazilian icons Caetano Veloso, Djaval, Chico Buarque and Milton Nascimento): duce music (the label is seeking sophisticated and under ground artists): alternat- tive rock (releasing prod. uct by international rock acts Morphine. Belly, Morphine Pavement and Throwing Muses); and soundtracks and domestic acts having already put out albums from Brazilian singers Daudle and Taciana Barros, as well as the soundtrack to the Brazilian film "O Quatrilho," composed and performed by Veleso. Llerena asserts that the Brazilian industry's main problem lies with retailers who were used to playing inflation and now clon't know what to do." Natasha currenily owns a lack catalog of 61 litles and is distributed by BMG. PARADOXX Founded three years ago by industry veteran Silvio Arnaldo Calligaris as a vehicle to develop the then-exploding dance market, this São Paulo-based imprint has released more than 150 titles, most of which are compilations. "Ironically, what made us successful was a combination of two prejudices," says Calligaris. "First, the majors already knew about the dance boom, but they hesitated because dance music does not create a back catalog, nor does it establish artists. Second, radio did not want to play national lance music, believing the public didn't want it. But Paradoxx and radio network Jovem Pan teamed to pro- duce the label's biggest smash-a compilation entitled "Big Hits Jovem Pan," which soll more than 250,000 units. And red by a nationwide network of sales representatives and listributors, Paradoxx also partnered other compilation sets with radio stations and television channels When other labels jumped into the dance fray, Paradoxx began to broaden its activities. The company now represents British blues and jazz label Charly Records and U.S. rock imprint Epitaph Records. POLYGRAM After spending the past two years mining PolyGram's writo cleep catalog to youd effect, label president Marcos Maynard has turned his atten tion toward breaking and marketing acts currently signed to the roster. Among Maynard's priorities is classy chanteuse Simone, who was inked in September. Her label premiere, titled "25 Timbalada BILLBOARD SPOTLIGHT De Dezembro (December 25)"--coincidentally, Simone birthday--boasts a duet with Milton Nascimento and feature several Christmas songs. Interestingly, Maynard says Brazilian artists sellom record Christmas tunes, Singer-songwriter legend Caetano Veloso also is set to release a live album, "Fina Estampa 11." Also out are albums sertanejo act Chitãozinho & Xororó, hot samba-reggae de Netinho and standout Bahian roots band Timbalaca While generally upbeat about the Brazilian market Maynard contends that if the government relaxes credi "somewhat, without causing inflation, then next year could be similar to this year, but with smaller growth." Maynard figures the Brazilian market could enlarge ever more with acclitional sales outlets. "There are 1.000 points o sale for records in Brazil and 8,000 points of sale for videos, Tietys. "This market would grow like crazy if there were more places to buy the product." ROCK IT RECORDS In 1992, Dace Villa-Lobos, guitarist for popular rock Legião Urbana, launched this indie label from a Rio de Janeir record store by the same name. Focusing primarily on alterna tive an indie until last year, when Villa-Lobos formed a partnershi pop and rock acts from Brazil, Rock It released product with Virgin Brasil. Details of the accord were not revealed, bu Virgin assumed the distribution responsibilities for Rock It The label's latest release is "Mondo Passionale" by a pop ac called the Sex Beatles. SONY One of the most important developments at Sony in the pas year, says label GM/president Roberto Augusto was the civi sion in 1994 of Sony into two labels: Columbia and Epic/Chaos Augusto comments that he made the move to provide more personalizecl attention to the promotion and mar keting of the smaller rosters of the upstart labels. "This clivision of labels has helped Sony's growth, be- cause the A&R director is more effective working with fewer people," says Augusto. who praises Columbia A&R director Miguel llopschi and Epic/Chaos A&R direc- for Jorge Davidson. Augusto Jorge Ben for also singles out marketing clirector Luis Andre Calainho for his elforts. Unlike other labels that have experienced success with romantic samba, Sony has hit pay dirt with regae artista Skank and Cidade Negra, along with rap act Gabriel C Pensador Sony also has released a powerhouse batch of albums for the holiday season. Among the artists who have released records are Roberto Carlos (his annual eponymous album), recent signee Jorge Ben Jor ("Homosapiens"). Martinho Da Vila ("Ta Delicial, TA Gostoso"). Julio Iglesias ("Julio Iglesias"), Angelica ("Angelica"). Asi De Aguia ("A Lenda"). Ara Ketu ("Ara Kemu Dex-). João Bosco ("Da Licenca Meu Senhor") and João Marcello (Joao Marcello Boscoli & Cia"). In addition, Sony has shipped the latest album by Angela Maria, titled "Ducts," which features the '50s balladeer diva teaming with a nonpareil cast of vocal partners, including Roberto Carlos, Cactano Veloso, Gal Costa, Maria Bethânia, Milton Nascimento, Djavan, Chico Buarque, Ney Matogrossen, Fagner, Alcione, Emilio Santiago and Nana Caymmi. Augusto says that Sony also is introducing the CD-ROM for- mat to Brazil for the first time, along with the CD Plus. TINNITUS Distributed by PolyGram, this boutique indie headquartered in São Paulo releases product revered by critics but shunned by consumers. In the four years since its creation, the label has Continued on ge 62 BILLBOARD DECEMBER 2, 1995