Da Natureza das Coisas chosen Top of the World album

Album of sweet choro from mandolin maestro

Review by Russel Higham 

Choro, the popular urban music that originated in Rio de Janeiro in the 19^th century, translates into English as ‘lament’. Ironically, in the hands of the dapper mandolinist and choro authority Danilo Brito, it is one of the sweetest and most uplifting sound imaginable, redolent of long carefree days spent on Copacabana beach. A mix of Portuguese influences and African rhythms, choro has come to be regarded as one of the definitive cultural styles of Brazil.

Still just 35 year old, Brito, who hails from São Paulo, already has a substantial body of work to his name and a repertoire that spans over a century of his nation’s music. This fine album is book-ended by versions of two important works by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, who often paid tribute to choro music in his own compositions.