Album Notes

Jaime Alem, composer, guitar player and arranger who began his career at age 16 in Jacareí, São Paulo, was actually raised in the state of Minas Gerais and is of Arab descent. He has been singer Maria Bethânia's maestro for the past 25 years, producing more than 15 of her albums, as well as albums by other artists such as Mart´nália and Sueli Costa; he wrote movie scores (Dois Filhos de Francisco and Mutum) and music for the theater (Chekhov's Three Sisters and Alan Ayckbourn's Gente Fina é a Mesma Coisa). Alem recorded two albums in the 70's with his wife, singer Nair Cândia, and the new label “Repique Brasil” has recently released his first solo work as an instrumentalist:

"The recording of this CD was made in a way that was new to me. I went to the studio and spent a few days there, recording as I was composing. I feel a sense of accomplishment making a record inspired in my 'viola caipira' ” (hillbilly guitar).