A former percussionist,
Otto seems to build the tracks for his album Certa Manha Acordei de Sonhos Intranquilos from the rhythms up, creating an eclectic collection of music that ranges across styles. The opening song, "Crua," and the closing one, "Agora Sim," both boast string charts, but in the service of different purposes. In "Crua," they lend a light accent to the melodic pop tune, while in "Agora Sim" they punctuate the Afro-Cuban percussion track, recalling
Isaac Hayes' theme from Shaft. That isn't the only time American pop/rock styles are echoed. "Naquela Mesa" has an early-'60s U.S. pop sound, with a twangy guitar and organ solo that reveal the influences of
Duane Eddy and
Del Shannon. "6 Minutos" is a hard rock ballad with a screaming electric guitar solo. But
Otto also shows his South American roots on "Janaina," which has a syncopated, reggae-like rhythm, and "Saudade," a samba. The beats support his husky, expressive voice, which is at times leavened by duets with
CéU and
Julieta Venegas. This is appealing and varied pop music from an artist with broad taste. ~ William Ruhlmann