A native of Rio, João Selva is an exponent artist of Brazilian Tropicalism. On the album “Onda”, he completes his transatlantic work imbued with sensuality and joie de vivre.
João Selva is the son of a parish priest and grew up in a community of released prisoners and artists who converted to Christianity. His father was a lover of music and from a young age led him to love traditional Brazilian styles such as capoeira, samba de roda, maracatu and coco de roda. He began his musical career at the age of eighteen.
He studied art direction and African American music arranging in New York and subsequently received a grant from the Australian Society of Performing Artists. As part of amateur theatre, he has performed for children in Africa, South America and the Caribbean. A few years later he settled in Lyon, France, where he still lives today. Thanks to the Sociedade Recreativa project, alongside a producer named Maga Bo, or the trio Forró de Rebeca, he gradually built a reputation in France.
Crisscrossed the Brazilian coast in early 2024 during the pre-carnival period to meet the masters of popular culture who inspires him
so much. Produced on his return, this new album is full of this overflowing energy, the glitter and colors of the Brazilian carnival where his creed is affirmed.
“There is no sadness
that holds up in the face of so much joy.”
Meeting with Bruno Patchworks
Album “Onda” was produced by Bruno Patchworks, the 10 tracks on this album extend a fruitful collaboration that began in 2016 before first album “Natureza”. At the top of his art, the French producer signs high-end arrangements with a subtle yet full-bodied blend of harmonic flavors and groovy pepper
“He came up to me one day after a gig and said he loved Brazilian music but had never had the opportunity to produce it. He liked my voice and wanted to record something together,” João recalls of the momentous encounter.
“Onda” operates like a sun cure that exalts the sensations and benefits of a good sea bath (“Banho de mar”). It is therefore not surprising to learn that the eponymous title of the album was written on the island of Levant, an amazing naturist paradise off the French Mediterranean coast, known for its exceptional sunshine rate.
Sunshine
And since the Brazilian songwriter is a troublemaker who has learned from his elders Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, he has not forgotten to incorporate disco, soul and jazz into his explosive cocktail. He also pays tribute to them on the track “Fantástica Bahia” with its radiant groove that smells of summer.
Their joint work reminds the improbable duos that made the great hours of pop music. But beyond dancing (“Viens danser” with stunning Cléa Vincent) and disco sweating (“Amor em Copacabana”, “Quero você”), the sparkling Brazilian singer also knows how to be more introspective and poetic with psychedelic ballads, like the very Beatlessian “Navegante”.
The album thus ends with a “Rainbow Love” featuring Gabi Hartmann, letting the light pass through the clouds to better explode the love of colors.
The album “Selva” was released back in 2025, opening our New Year’s “Albums of the Week” relay.
Underdog Records & NMR (photo: press João Selva)
