Alma Brasilera is enigmatically titled. Though
Alexandre Pires' soul may belong to Brazil, his career evidently belongs to his Spanish-speaking fan base. In the tradition of 2003's
Estrella Guia, there's not a line of Portuguese on the entire record. Finding a large, adoring audience in the Spanish-language pop market,
Pires seems to be more than flirting at this point. Unlike its predecessor,
Alma Brasilera offers more than just a nod to
Pires' homeland, if not in language, then musically. Though subtle, samba creeps in through the cracks of at least half the material. The horn writing and occasional bottom-heavy surdo, as sparse as they are, have a unique character that will remind the listener of past bossa nova and samba greats. The other half of the repertoire is very much in keeping with the reverb-drenched mountaintop pop balladry for which
Pires is known. While for some that may be criticism,
Pires has the vocal ability to not only pull off such drama, but deliver it in abundance. Latin pop certainly profits from having the voice of a full-grown man in its ranks. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez