Rio-born Celso Fonseca rose from the voluminous ranks of Brazilian backing artists to become a solo performer, producer and highly successful songwriter. He began his professional career in the late 1970s and was working in Gilberto Gil's band a few years later... Fonseca's long-running creative partnership with Ronaldo Bastos began around 1983, with the song "Sorte" bringing them to national attention after it was recorded as a duet by superstars Gal Costa and Veloso in 1986 -- many other hits and several albums would follow. Here's a quick look at Fonseca's career...
Gilberto Gil "Dia Dorim Noite Neon" (WEA Latina, 1985)
This 'Eighties set is one of the first records to feature Celso Fonseca's musicianship, with Fonseca as a member of superstar Gilberto Gil's mid-decade backing band. Sadly, it's not one of my favorite Brazilian albums ever, as Gil was definitely in a creative slump for most of this decade. Indeed, I find this particular album utterly appalling, full of the worst, most prefab, early-'80s mainstream pop production. If somebody was kidding and told me that this was in fact a collaboration between Gil and Men At Work, I would completely fall for it. The inclusion of a couple of okay ballads and one mediocre reggae tune do little to mitigate the grotesque production values of this album. I'll pass.
Celso Fonseca "Minha Cara" (Warner Brothers, 1986)
Celso Fonseca "O Som Do Sim" (Natasha Records, 1993)
Celso Fonseca & Ronaldo Bastos "Sorte" (Universal/Dubas Records, 1994)
Singer-guitarist Celso Fonseca, who has worked with Gilberto Gil, Marisa Monte and others of Brazil's brightest MPB stars, strongly recalls Caetano Veloso's mellower moments. This album, co-produced with songwriter/producer Ronaldo Bastos, is a stripped-down acoustic set which at first feels a little sparse and unsteady, but gains resonance and depth with every repeat listening. As good as any of Fonseca's later efforts, and well worth tracking down. The pronounced stylistic debt to Veloso is a little embarrassing, but it still sounds so good, it's hard to get upset about it. Highly recommended.
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Celso Fonseca & Ronaldo Bastos "Paradiso" (Universal/Dubas Records, 1997)
A more ornate album, with a full band behind Fonseca's gentle vocals. The Veloso comparisons are helped by the presence of Caetano's cellist and bandleader, Jaques Morelenbaum, but while Caetano takes his music into arch, artistic directions, Fonseca opts for a mellower, more subdued sound, and includes a strong strain of Miles Davis-style "cool jazz" on several songs. Another great record... the guy can do no wrong, as far as I can tell.
Celso Fonseca & Ronaldo Bastos "Juventude/Slow Motion Bossa Nova" (Universal, 2001)
Another lovely album, although it has a 1970s-ish fusion sheen than some may find off-putting. Most of the musicians are lesser-known, younger artists, although Daniel Jobim adds some star power, playing piano on a couple of tracks. This album is quite listenable, although I confess I prefer when Fonseca plays in slightly more stripped-down style. Definitely worth checking out, though, if you're looking for something mellow, classy and new.
Celso Fonseca "Natural" (Six Degrees, 2003)
Absolutely gorgeous acoustic guitar work, with flawlessly tasteful production and soft bossa vocals, music on a par with Joao Gilberto or Caetano Veloso's softer moments. Fonseca is one of Rio's up-and-coming performers, and here he takes things down several notches, to the quietest, most serene level imaginable. This is a lovely album that will really wow anyone looking for something mellow and moving, yet not saccharine or formulaic. Highly recommended!
Celso Fonseca "Rive Gauche Rio" (Crammed Disc/Six Degrees, 2005)
Another lovely, acoustic-based nova bossa nova set by Celso Fonseca. On first listen, this new record seemed a bit simple and plain in comparison to the lusher, more densely produced albums he'd recorded earlier with Ronaldo Bastos, but as the disc stayed in my stereo for the better part of a week, it sounded more and more sublime. Recapturing the subtlety and restraint of the original bossa nova movement, Fonseca weaves a spell of beauty and soft, melodic grace. He still sounds quite a bit like Caetano Veloso, but that's really nothing to complain about. This is a record you can listen to time and time again, and which should delight you for years to come. Recommended!
Celso Fonseca & Ronaldo Bastos "Polaroides" (2007)
A best-of set drawing from the albums Paradiso, Sorte and Juventude.
Celso Fonseca "Feriado" (2007)
Celso Fonseca "Ao Vivo" (EMI-Brasil, 2007)
Celso Fonseca "The Leblon Sessions" (Six Degrees, 2007)
A beautiful 7-song acoustic session from this soulful Brazilian crooner. This was apparently only released online as MP3 downloads, which is a blow to the material culture freaks among us, but makes for a nice online adventure. Sweet stuff from one of Brazil's most fluid, moving performers.
Celso Fonseca "Voz E Violao" (Universal Music, 2009)
Celso Fonseca & Marcos Valle "...Apresentam Pagina Central" (Biscoito Fino, 2009)
(Produced by Raquel Deleuse)
Celso Fonseca & Ronaldo Bastos "Liebe Paradiso" (Universal Music, 2010)
Celso Fonseca "No Meu Filme" (Universal Music, 2011)
Celso Fonseca "Like Nice" (Universal Music, 2015)
Celso Fonseca "Turning Point" (Wrasse Records, 2019)
Celso Fonseca "O Tempo" (Alanaga Records, 2019)
Celso Fonseca "Nossa Musica" (Joia Moderna, 2021)
