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INFINITO

from LILAS

Written by Djavan

Djavan Caetano Viana is simply known as Djavan. He is a legendary Brazilian singer/songwriter. From his debut in the second half of the seventies up to now, Djavan’s music is a landmark in terms of sophisticated songwriting and meaningful lyrical content. He is a star in his own country, but his music quickly became loved by singers, musicians and audiences around the world.

In the early eighties, Djavan’s art was discovered in North America with thanks to the help of people including guitar great Lee Ritenour, Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones. Everyone that experienced Djavan’s art fell in love with his music and became ambassadors of his talent. Djavan was also quite influenced by the best sounds coming from Los Angeles and those factors lead to a string of albums recorded there including LuzBird Of Paradise and Lilas. Those three records were chocked-full of wonderful songs delivered by Djavan with the help of the best musicians in the world. In this writer’s opinion, Lilas was the best Al Jarreau (1940-2017) album never recorded by the late Milwaukee singing legend. Lilas was recorded in L.A. between February and March of 1984 with Erich Bulling co-producing and Humberto Gatica in the control room. Djavan co-produced Lilas and surrounded himself with absolute geniuses including David Foster and Greg Phillinganes on keyboards and doing arrangements, Michael Landau and Paul Jackson, Jr. playing guitars, Nathan East and Mike Porcaro (1955-2015) accompanying on bass, John Robinson and Carlos Vegas (1956-1998) hitting the drums, Jerry Hey arranging the strings and horns plus many more. As already mentioned, the sounds of Lilas was along the same sophisticated lines of the magical Jarreau’s recordings with Jay Graydon and could rival any quality pop album. As always, Foster arranged a few numbers and worked his trademark magic on keyboards and synths.                                                                                                                            

These pages already saw past reviews of gems like “Liberdade” and “Iris.” This week the spotlight is on a gorgeous mid-tempo entitled “Infinito.”

Beautifully crafted by Djavan with Phillinganes, “Infinito” featured all the most treasured elements of sophisticated pop. Hear a sweet carpet of keys and synths arranged by Foster, a Michael Landau solo to die for and Jerry Hey’s classic horn licks. Djavan’s voice was perfectly at ease with such an elegant musical background and delivered a great performance. 

Material from Lilas was eventually covered by several singers around the world including his compatriot Simone who sang “Liberdade” and “Esquinas.” Italian pop star Loredana Bertè performed “Iris,” “Transe,” “Infinito” and “Esquinas” and Manhattan Transfer sang “Esquinas” with English lyrics under the title “So You Say”.


Listen

 

  • Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar: Djavan
  • Keyboards & Synths: Greg Phillinganes & David Foster
  • Guitar: Paul Jackson, Jr.
  • Guitar Solo: Michael Landau
  • Drums: John “J.R.” Robinson
  • Bass: Nathan East
  • Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
  • Synth Programming: Erich Bulling
  • Rhythm Arranged by Djavan & Greg Phillinganes
  • Synthesizer Arrangement by David Foster
  • Horns & Strings Arranged by Jerry Hey
  • Produced by Djavan with Erich Bulling

Lyrics

Tô perdido por alguém
Não consigo ver nada além
Do que eu digo nada sei
Compreender o amor
Não é de hoje
Já vai longe
E nem sinal

Hoje
Estou longe
Preso a você
Livre na prisão
Sem castigo
Faz chorar
Distraído rói devagar
É pedindo que Deus dá

Por falar no amor
Acho que vou buscar
Viver por você
Ou me acabar
Quem mandou me acorrentar
Fazer-me refém
Nas grades do amor

Vou buscar
Viver por você
Ou me acabar
Quem mandou me acorrentar
Fazer-me refém
Nas grades do amor

Te vejo lá no luar
Te espero lá do sol
Te vejo lá no luar
Te espero lá do sol

Tô perdido por alguém
Não consigo ver nada além
Do que eu digo nada sei
Compreender o amor
Não é de hoje
Já vai longe
E nem sinal

Hoje
Estou longe
Preso a você
Livre na prisão
Sem castigo
Faz chorar
Distraído rói devagar
É pedindo que Deus dá

Por falar no amor
Acho que vou buscar
Viver por você
Ou me acabar
Quem mandou me acorrentar
Fazer-me refém
Nas grades do amor

Vou buscar
Viver por você
Ou me acabar
Quem mandou me acorrentar
Fazer-me refém
Nas grades do amor

Te vejo lá no luar
Te espero lá do sol
Te vejo lá no luar
Te espero lá do sol

Te vejo lá no luar
Te espero lá do sol
Te vejo lá no luar
Te espero lá do sol

Te vejo lá no luar
Te espero lá do sol
Te vejo lá no luar
Te espero lá…