Bird of Paradise | |
Type: | studio |
Artist: | Djavan |
Cover: | Bird of Paradise (album).jpg |
Released: | 1988 |
Genre: | Samba |
Label: | Columbia |
Producer: | Ronnie Foster |
Prev Title: | Não é Azul Mas é Mar |
Prev Year: | 1987 |
Next Title: | Djavan Puzzle of Hearts |
Next Year: | 1989 |
Bird of Paradise is an album by the Brazilian musician Djavan.[1] [2] It was released in 1988 via Columbia Records, part of a Brazilian push by the label that also included albums by Milton Nascimento (Yauaretê) and Simone (Vicio).[3] [4]
The album was produced by Ronnie Foster. Three of its songs are sung in English; Djavan had others write the lyrics to them.[5] Djavan recorded the album in Los Angeles, using session musicians.[6]
"Stephen's Kingdom", to which Stevie Wonder contributed, is about the South African township of Soweto.[7]
The Sun Sentinel wrote that Djavan's "voice is a clear, strong, masculine baritone, his guitar distinctly grounded in but not enslaved to the samba beat, the melodies are long, lilting, undulating lines rising above a plush, complex harmonic carpet."[8] The Boston Globe thought that "Djavan's upbeat Anglo-Brazilian pop will appeal to West Coast jazz fusion fans as well as pop listeners."[9]
The Washington Post determined that, "as slick and predictable as it is, though, the album is redeemed by a few of Djavan's lyrics, including the compulsive love song 'Madness' and the temptress tale 'Miss Susanna'."[10] The New York Times concluded that, "as a singer, Djavan doesn't have the angelic, impeccable intonation of Mr. Nascimento or Mr. [Caetano] Veloso; he sounds a little more fallible and earthly, perhaps more approachable for American pop listeners."[11] The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the album "predictable, Westernized funk."[12]
AllMusic called the album "full of strong, haunting, lusciously melodic songs often backed by that gently jumping, uplifting rhythm that runs through much of his material."