This week I’ve had Ed Motta’s “Dried Flowers” #OnRepeat. I was first introduced to Motta’s music during my undergrad years at UC San Diego, but have just recently within the past two years revisited his music, and this is one of his songs that I just can’t stop listening to.
Eduardo “Ed” Motta is a MPB, rock, soul music, funk, and jazz musician from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the nephew of the late, Brazilian soul singer, Tim Maia (someone I researched and wrote about while working on my thesis). Although Ed is mostly known for his voice, he is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and arranger; having recorded all of the instrument parts for several of his albums by himself and recording many of his original compositions. He has composed for several Brazilian films and has toured throughout the United States and Europe.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Ed Motta and being able to watch him perform live. Ed is an extensive collector of records and it is apparent in his writing and singing. Some of his other songs, like “Manuel,” are throw-backs to R&B and Pop music of the late 1980’s and 1990’s. Each album that you listen to is so dramatically different, yet Motta’s powerful vocals and writing style creates a unifying theme–almost a stamp–signifying that you’re listening to something written by Ed Motta. “Dried Flowers” is no different. I really appreciated in this song how the melody reflected the emotions conveyed in the lyrics and vice versa. Motta’s ability to write catchy melodies on top of great instrumental arrangements will always make him one of my favorite singers from Brazil. Take a listen below:
Do you guys have any new musicians or groups to listen to? Let us know in the comments below!