Carlinhos Brown – World Music Portraits

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extra: D     Program: B-

 

 

Another good installment of Arte Video’s World Music Portraits series gives us drummer/percussionist Carlinhos Brown, a very popular artist in Brazil.  Though we see him on stage, we see him doing at least as many music performances alone in front of the camera and on locations with crowds where the music just happens.  In all this, he also talks about the differences between how Brazilians see success and status and how music and friendship are more important that fighting, killing and being territorial.

 

He also talks about other parts of the world and how their music is similar to that of Brazil and what he performs.  He is a very photogenic, natural talent with much to offer and an exceptional understanding of all kinds of music.  He spends more time than usual talking about life too, but that only makes this installment of the series that much more interesting, which runs about 53 minutes in length.

 

The letterboxed 16 X 9/1.78 X 1 image is not anamorphically enhanced, but is not bad.  I doubt this is High Definition, but the footage is quality video that is clean and as sharp as it can be under the circumstances.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 is Stereo and is not bad either, but there are no extras.  However, it was a pleasant surprise, showing us what it is to be a true citizen of the world.

 

The most important aspect of the program was to see Brown’s sincerity and how that is reflected in his music.  The subtitle of the program was Bahia Beat and there is something about it that feels very honest and open.  Carlinhos Brown is a very important music artist and his portrait here is as enjoyable as it is eye opening, especially for those who have had too little exposure to this kind of thing.  Hope we hear from him again soon.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo