{"title":"Rubel","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"as-palavras-vol-1-and-2","title":"As Palavras Vol. 1 and 2","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome albums are game-changers in a genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Take OutKast's Speakerboxxx \/ The Love Below or Primal Scream's Screamadelica, they observe, study, and then flip what an album can mean to a genre or moment in time. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the very first listen of Rubel's Latin Grammy- nominated third album As Palavras, Vol. 1 \u0026amp; 2, you can feel its transformative force for the MPB genre. Here we see one of Rio's brightest stars, fusing the contemporary with the classic, soaking up the richness of Brazil's musical heritage. The result is a marauding 20- track epic, incorporating traditional styles such as forro, MPB, pagode and samba with modern baile funk, rasteirinha and hip-hop. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe album exudes a sense of freedom and creativity, playfully and provocatively juggling the familiar with the forward-thinking. The tracks are divided across two records, navigating feelings of love, heartbreak and discovery, whilst balancing themes of violence, passion, irony and affection. Collaborating with some of the country's most esteemed artists such as Gabriel do Borel, Liniker, Luedji Luna, Tim Bernardes and Ana Caetano, Rubel takes this fusion of styles, subjects and favours to the global stage. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe grand, forro-blending, choral opener, 'Forro Violento (Instrumental)' sets the tone for the album, with references and links between tradition and modernity everywhere to be seen. From the Ana Frango Eletrico produced, funk flexing, samba-soul brilliance of 'Nao Vou Reclamar de Deus', to the album's title cut 'As Palavras', in collaboration with Tim Bernardes, that melds MPB influences with electronic elements and hip-hop touches. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcross both sides of the album, Rubel's story-telling gift is given space to shine. 'Torto Arado' featuring Liniker and Luedji Luna, beautifully references the racial injustice, tragedy, hope and ambition found in one the most celebrated Brazilian novels of recent times by Itamar Vieira Junior. Elsewhere, 'Na Mao do Palhaco' manifests a satirical march about a suicidal conservative middle-aged man, who is rescued by the miracle of the carnival. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt times the album is gentle and intimate with tracks like 'Toda Beleza' featuring Bala Desejo, or the ode to friendship 'Lua de Garrafa', composed with the legendary Milton Nascimento. At others, the grooves hit harder, with sounds from the favelas laced within. 'Put@ria!', explores the universe of baile funk, with BK' and MC Carol trading off on the mic, as 'Rubelia' moves between reggaeton, funk, and hip hop. The latter is a tribute to a key influence of the album, Spanish star Rosalia and her parallel mix of current with classic. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUltimately though the beauty of this album lies in its concept. In the midst of a country divided, 'As Palavras Vol. 1 \u0026amp; 2' sets out to bring together genres and generations, grounded in rhythms and words that have helped define Brazil through the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50412856017227,"sku":"2187919","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pink LP","offer_id":50412858114379,"sku":"2187920","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50412851134795,"sku":"2187918","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/fd8fdc25-3311-4d83-8f05-0d0fdc83fff3_04a02d6d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726669141"},{"product_id":"beleza-mas-agora-a-gente-faz-o-que-com-isso","title":"Beleza. Mas agora a gente faz o que com isso?","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor his fourth studio album, Brazilian troubadour Rubel returns to his roots with a sublime, stripped-back, singer-songwriter classic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeleza. Mas agora a gente faz o que com isso? \u003c\/em\u003ewhich translates to \"Beauty. But now what do we do with it?\", was produced at home by Rubel and reconnects with his acoustic side: the idea of predominantly using simply vocals, guitar, and strings. A bossa nova and MPB-leaning body of work at its core, the album is a deeply personal and introspective journey, with the focus directed at the beautiful, simple essence of the songs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComprising seven original compositions penned by Rubel, the album also contains two majestic covers. 'A la Ventana, Carolina' by El David Aguilar is reworked into Portuguese by Rubel under the title 'A Janela, Carolina' with the air of a long- lost classic. To close out the album, Rubel puts his distinctive spin on Radiohead's 'Reckoner', with the revered Brazilian maestro Arthur Verocai adding to the beautiful, melancholic textures through his string and horn arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new record brings listeners back to Rubel's origins, focusing on an intimacy and immediacy through voice and guitar that were unveiled on his debut LP Pearl from 2015, and refined on 2018's Casas. The result is a personal and revealing repertoire that contrasts with his last album, the bold, innovative, and collaboratively focused As Palavras Vol. 1 \u0026amp; 2 from 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith this fourth album, Rubel is becoming one of the key writers and performers of his generation, on a trajectory heading up to the heights of Joao Gilberto, Jorge Ben, Caetano Veloso, and the classic Brazilian songbook. He has managed to achieve that rare balance of appealing to both the mainstream and the underground in one celestial and cinematic swoop.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"LP - Gold","offer_id":53170228920651,"sku":"R9320-9330","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53170228887883,"sku":"R9320-7268","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":53170228855115,"sku":"R9320-9154","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b0a897e0-37d2-4540-baea-d440b98d3239.jpg?v=1755080842"},{"product_id":"pearl-1","title":"Pearl","description":"\u003cp\u003eMr Bongo proudly presents a first-time worldwide vinyl and CD issue of Rubel's debut album \u003cem\u003ePearl.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelf-released on YouTube in 2013, the album quietly became a huge hit in Brazil with the lead single and accompanying video for 'Quando Bate Aquela Saudade' amassing over 85 million views to date. \u003cem\u003ePearl\u003c\/em\u003e laid the foundations for Rubel's path to greatness - a first glimpse into the brilliance of a modern- day troubadour and ever- evolving Brazilian artist who deftly mixes classic and contemporary influences. Fusing MPB, folk, pop, and indie, it charts Rubel at his purest and most personal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe journey of \u003cem\u003ePearl\u003c\/em\u003e begins with Rubel in his early 20's studying film in Austin, Texas. Immersing himself in the city's vibrant DIY music scene and surrounded by countless musicians who he shared a large house with, he set up a home studio with an assortment of rented gear and recorded the album without any expectations. It was inspired by an environment of youth, music and experimentation Rubel found himself within. The seven songs are an attempt to record and take with him a little of what he lived and learned whilst there. He uploaded the album to YouTube, didn't think much of it and continued to pursue a career in film in LA. Over the next few years however it became a viral hit in Brazil, with a subsequent Brazil only vinyl and CD issue, drawing him both back to Rio and a trajectory to musical stardom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spirit of \u003cem\u003ePearl\u003c\/em\u003e has a timeless nostalgia; it feels familiar from the outset, and whether a Portuguese speaker or not, the songs touch your soul. It's an unpretentious album, with Rubel putting himself, his musicianship and his songwriting upfront and centre. The epic 'O Velho e o Mar' delicately layers acoustic guitar, banjo and vocal harmonies, as the track builds with a simmering intensity and an accordion drifts in across its final stages. Elsewhere, title track 'Pearl' has a global singer- songwriter aesthetic and could be Thom Yorke at his most acoustic. At nearly seven minutes, 'Quando Bate Aquela Saudade' is an unlikely breakthrough single, but its message really resonated with the Brazilian \/ Portuguese-speaking audience. Anyone who has witnessed Rubel live has felt the energy and interplay between musician and audience, with the crowd making this song as much their own as it is Rubel's. A true modern-day classic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Ben' echoes and channels the Brazilian greats; Caetano Veloso comes to mind whilst listening to this stripped-down tender ballad. The folk-leaning tones of the banjo make a return on the closing 'Quadro Verde'. A cinematic and anthemic track that could easily be imagined soundtracking a Wes Anderson film. Now a global, Latin-Grammy nominated star, Rubel is one of those rare artists who can straddle both mainstream pop success with the humbleness of an independent, underground recording artist. Those roots are on show here on \u003cem\u003ePearl,\u003c\/em\u003e embodying an authenticity and rawness that spoke to a generation. We are proud to be able to give a worldwide release to this authentic and unpretentious first chapter in Rubel's story.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"LP - Green","offer_id":57758335009099,"sku":"R0913-1942","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57758335041867,"sku":"R0913-8558","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":57758335074635,"sku":"R0913-2878","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7eda8abb-7293-4609-b6ab-15712fa5dc26.jpg?v=1783079808"},{"product_id":"casaa","title":"Casas","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBrazilian artist Rubel isn't one to be pigeonholed and typecast into staying in one sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCasas\u003c\/em\u003e, the follow-up to his debut album \u003cem\u003ePearl\u003c\/em\u003e from 2015, brought a bigger, more epic, and richer production quality to the table. Fusing the worlds of MPB and hip hop, Rubel' s sophomore LP built on the momentum of its predecessor, gaining a Latin- Grammy nomination along the way. Mr Bongo is proud to be giving Casas its first worldwide release on vinyl and CD outside of Brazil and Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe cliche they say is that the second album is always the trickiest; however, Rubel doesn't seem to have had any problems on \u003cem\u003eCasas\u003c\/em\u003e. It's a fountain of creativity and originality, marking an artist in full flow. Conceived after Rubel spent six months living in Los Angeles, \u003cem\u003eCasas\u003c\/em\u003e is MPB- leaning at its core but is also driven by a hip hop inspired pulse. There is a clear influence from hip hop's aesthetic across the 2010s woven subtly but fundamentally throughout. Nods to Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, The Creator can be heard across an album full of playful edge and personality. Luscious string-led arrangements and tracks that explore the rich folkloric rhythms of Brazil, sit next to songs with low- fi drum machines and features from acclaimed Brazilian rappers. One of the highlights of the album, 'Mantra', starts with a traditional Brazilian rhythm that morphs into a hazy hip hop beat. A sublime song with a hooky call and response chorus, it features a guest appearance and verse by the Brazilian MC Emicida. Another highlight is the epic 'Colegio' (College) which further showcases the melding of stripped back drum machine beats with cinematic, sweeping arrangements. Elsewhere, 'Partilhar' is a swaying, heartwarming hug. A tale of longing and love that has become a singalong fan favourite at Rubel's concerts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCasas\u003c\/em\u003e also shines a light on a string of key players in Brazil's new vanguard, such as Pedro Fonte , Gus Levy, and Brazilian rapper \/ poet Rincon Sapiencia to name a handful. The record has pop sensibilities yet also feels underground. It beats with the heart of a singer-songwriter, a feeling that was felt so strongly on \u003cem\u003ePearl\u003c\/em\u003e, yet this time is bolstered by a level of arrangement and richness of sound that take it to another dimension - soaring horn and string sections elevating the songs from home recording to stadium-ready anthems. Keeping that intrinsic beauty and simplicity of a well- constructed song yet reframing it within a pop context is the true gift of this album.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCasas\u003c\/em\u003e cemented Rubel's status as one of Brazil's leading contemporary talents and a key figure enriching the country's already effervescent scene.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"LP  - Blue","offer_id":57798256755019,"sku":"R6344-1755","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57798256787787,"sku":"R6344-2432","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":57798256820555,"sku":"R6344-7062","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/9da705c6-f372-495c-9484-4f8af74976cd.jpg?v=1783547771"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/collections\/rubel.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}