Young, beautiful and Brazilian, Cibelle Cavalli is the captivating new voice of the Sao Paolo scene. Her distinctive voice was first heard on Sao Paulo Confessions, the groundbreaking album by Yugoslav producer Suba. Suba had fled his nation's war and followed his love of Brazillian music to Sao Paulo. There he set about bringing a contemporary electronic mindset to his productions and upon hearing Cibelle singing in a local bar he approached her to sing with him. The results can be heard on Sao Paulo Confessions yet even before the album was released Suba was dead – falling asleep with a lit cigarette, he died in the resulting fire.
Cibelle stepped back from the spotlight and the album Suba had produced for Bebel Gilberto, Tanto Tempo, went on to become the biggest selling Brazilian album outside Brazil ever.
"Suba was like family, like a guru," says Cibelle, picking her words carefully in delightfully accented English. "After he passed I felt smashed. I didn't want to go looking for a producer. Then my friends from MTV called me to do some vocals with Apollo and we really got along. He's like Suba, very original. For our first track he went to the supermarket with a mini disc and recorded the refrigerator and cash register. Right away I knew we could work together."
The resulting album – title Cibelle – was released on Belgium's Crammed Discs label (home to Suba and Bebel) and has been a critical and commercial hit with Cibelle's breathy mix of Portuguese and English vocals taking the listener from bossa nova to samba soul to trip-hop grooves with psychedelic guitars. The album was started in Sao Paulo and finished in London – Cibelle now lives in London's Brick Lane. An appropriate location as this bilingual, musical genre hopping singer is intent on fusing the rhythms and melodies of two of the world's most dynamic cities.
"You can't know the future," she says when asked of her plans. "Right now I'm here (London) but there's no physical home as I'm always changing."
Garth Cartwright, October 2003
Read other peoples comments
After listening to her new record, she's become one of my favourite artists. Read more about her on Music@PL.PT
http://musicplpt.blogspot.com
Music@PL.PT
She opened a whole new world of music for me. I have many brazian friends and I turn them on to her. I can't wait for here to release a new album.
Hank
She's wonderful!
Ede Cotton
she produces as well, i heard about a gig she did in marseille, it was amazing, and she has a new guy with her band that does live sampling, it's all live processing apparently . brilliant.
Klaus Vegber
I bought the new Cibelle's CD About a Girl. It's wonderfull.
marianne
I love her voice. She is a talented songwiter and a beautiful woman!
vera lucia
The song is terrific. So as most of Cibelle's songs.
Djordje
Saw her in Toronto, She opened up for Breakastra... beautiful woman, ill band, dope music... I really enjoyed every minute... if she reads this (please keep making more music and reach T.O again when you can, I even bought my mother your album, cause I love it so much)
peace
FrostFlow, Ground Illusion crew, Toronto
Music is transcended by her oustanding voice, her performance on stage leaves you utterly breathless and yet begging for more. Once you've listened to her, you can't forget her; your soul has been touched forever. Unbelievable!...
marie France
soon as i bought cibelle's album i just couldn't stop listening.. and still i don't.. her way of singing just a halfstep behind the notes is simply wonderful.so unbrazilian and so paulista at the same time!
bardamu
a very, very sexy album... beautifull songs, for me she is inspiring
Vivian
When I first heard Cibelle I was very surprised.
After seeing the concert I was flabbergasted!
She has a beautiful voice and an outstanding presence in stage.
luis costa morais
its nice,if you have bad life
her voise help you to chang it better
sam
"Felicidade" (from Sao Paulo Confessions) is one of the most beautiful vocal performances I have heard during my 41 years on this planet. Treat yourself - see her at the Jazz Cafe, London, in March 2004. Buy the album too and get her to sign it. She's very approachable and modest.
Nick
She is definitely a great singer/writter. From what I know from her, she is very tallented as well.
Karen
It's about time to be moving to London before it's too late; she casts a spell exactly where Bebel Gilberto leaves off in being too silky.
Lucas
achingly beautiful...
t t bone
Like Bebel, maybe like Paula Morelenbaum... it doesnt matter. We have a new soft voice to put in our cd players.
duchamp
A sensational debut album from such a talented songwriter. A truly original mox of Brazilian music and electronica. And she captivated the audience at her Jazz cfe gig last year.
Janet Ingham
I love her music and her guitarrist is one of the promises of brazilian musicians.....very good Felipe Pagani!!!
paulamercedes
A TRUE ORIGINAL POETIC SOULFUL WOMAN
AND H
Excellent music from a beautiful lady!
Zoltan, Hungary
The best, her brazillian way of singing is beautiful!
F. Iorio
CIBELLE IS SENSATIONAL
beto xavier
WONDERFULL! I'M FASCINATED.
LEONARDO GADELHA
