Rarely do I stumble across a group as enjoyable and unusual as Telebossa. A mixture of electronics, bossa nova, and chamber music, it is a real treat. Chico Mello and Nicholas Bussmann infuse a great deal of heart into these seven songs. I haven’t heard anything this inspired for quite some time.
Bossa Nova is considered a rather ‘conservative’ genre musically-speaking. Usually the greats like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz, etc. are mentioned, referred to, and not expanded upon much. Having such a refreshing approach to a style I already adore is fantastic, and they succeed on expanding the palette of sounds without ruining what makes bossa nova enjoyable.
“Feltro No Ferro” begins things off slowly: with a treated piano before flowering into a full song. Nicholas Bussmann is responsible for these subtle electronics and cello. Chico Mello provides the vocals and guitar. Few others join them, excluding some restrained drums. You’re basically left with these basic elements for the duration of the album.
Only occasionally are you reminded of the fragile state of these few elements. Chico’s voice gets heavily stretched on “Eu Sonhei Que Tu Estavas Tao Linda” with all other sound removed. For a moment you’re left at the edge of your seat as you’re completely uncertain as to where they’re headed. After this things take a darker turn musically and you again hear the stretched out vocals but this time with accompaniment.
The grooves feel warm, tactile, and alive. Somehow they are able to play off chamber and electronic music’s precision with the relaxed nature of bossa nova. “Amoroso” exemplifies this patient approach. It takes its time in building up to a fully satisfying whole.
During the entire duration of the album, you’re reminded something is always a little off with the recording. Pops appear in the mix for rhythm. Vocals are stretched, treated and slightly mangled. Bossa Nova needed these changes. Don’t think of Telebossa of a revolution of bossa nova, think of it as a much needed evolution of a usually staid genre. This is a beautiful album.