Miss Balanco

\2009 release. Clara Moreno's sixth album Miss Balanço is the second released in the UK by Far Out Recordings. The daughter of iconic Brazilian singer songwriter Joyce and composer Nelson Angelo Moreno, Clara's career began performing backing vocals in children's choirs for artists such as Milton Nascimento and Egberto Gismonti before moving to study music in Paris at the age of 18. Moreno returned to Brazil and in 1996 recorded her eponymous debut CD. With the release of her fourth album MorenaBossaNova (2004) she experimented with electronic music to create an album with a contemporary take on bossa nova. In 2007, Clara released her first album with Far Out Recordings in the UK Meu Samba Torto (FARO 115CD) and the stripped down tribute to her musical heritage drew wide critical acclaim from the British press. Miss Balanço is a full on rootsy samba record revitalized for the 21st century by the bold and beautiful Clara Moreno. A true carioca (daughter of Rio) born to make dancing music, Clara grew up immersed in Brazilian beats from samba to bossa nova, acid-jazz to psychedelia, folk to tropicalia. This "sambalanço" recording encompasses all while swinging with the samba spirit that runs deep through Clara - Miss Balanço for a contemporary Brazil. This is music in the image of it's maker. Clara Moreno is a bold and beautiful character - as gripping to watch as she is compelling to listen to. As one of her many swirling tattoos declares "Paz Et Musica" ("Peace And Music") - it's what she and many Brazilians devote themselves to. This jubilant long-player infuses samba and bossa nova with African traditions and jazz instrumentation, celebrating samba's renaissance as the enduring rhythm of Brazilian life with a modern and unique twist. Miss Balanço features a stellar line-up of Brazilian musicians brought together by Clara and producer Joyce. Of the Sao Paulo Na Cena Studio sessions Clara says, "Everything was recorded live and during the recordings I shared amazing moments with great personalities of the MPB including John Donato, Joyce, Tutty Moreno and Orlando." Taking on Brazilian samba classics from legends Jorge Ben, Elza Soares, Joao Donato and Gilberto Gil, Moreno has created a record that not only does the originals justice but stands alone as a distinctive and significant global album.