The Sounds of VTech

For the third installment of Timeless, a four-part series honoring legendary composers/arrangers, VTech, Mochilla and ArtDontSleep are proud to present Brasilian folk-soul-jazz composer and arranger Arthur Verocai with a 36-piece orchestra.

Why Arthur Verocai?

“For me Arthur Verocai’s music typifies a spirit that links the world of Rogerio Duprat’s Tropicali with the Milton Nasciamento’s Clube D’Esquina school from Minas Gerais to the powerful string soul coming from Charles Stepney in Chicago and David Axelrod in Los Angeles. But it is more too - ask Ludacris or 9th Wonder or MF Doom or Quantic. His arrangements ooze emotion”

-B+, Mochilla

Born in Rio de Janeiro on June 17th, 1945, Arthur Verocai first earned widespread attention in 1966 when Leny Andrade recorded his song “Olhando o Mar”. A product of a classical music education, Verocai embraced the contemporary pop, soul and jazz sounds emerging from all over. Gradually honing a sweeping orchestral psych-funk sensibility that has put him in the same category as producers David Axelrod and Charles Stepney.

He has collaborated with artists including Paulinho Tapajos, Elis Regina and Maria Creuza, and arranged sessions for Gal Costa, Marcos Valle, Quarteto em Cy, and others.

In 1972, Verocai released a self-titled solo LP, an innovative effort bridging the gap between Tropicalia of the late 60’s and the funk of the 70’s. “I was in an adventurous mood on this album and that led me to explore new melodic, harmonic and rhythmic paths.” Unfortunately due to the album’s poor sales, Verocai became a commercial arranger and producer, and failed to produce another solo album till Saudade Demais, 2002.

Though Verocai only released two albums, his 1972 self-titled album struck a cord with musicians from all walks of life. There seems to be no end to the praises artists have for Verocai.

“Arthur Verocai is a genius, one of the finest”- Quantic

“I could listen to the (Arthur Verocai) album everyday for the rest of my life“ - Madlib

“Em 1972 falaram que ele estava maluco… sua musica é agora.” - DJ Nuts

“Arthur Verocai is living proof that soul transcends generations, races, and creeds. If you are a producer and don’t know who this guy is……. then you don’t know soul music at its best….. Welcome to Brazillian Soul……………. meet Arthur Verocai” - 9th Wonder

“When I listen to Arthur’s music it makes me glad to feel alive. It doesn’t get any better than this” - Mark Pritchard/ Troubleman

“Of all the Brazilian music I have encountered, this is my favourite record” -Yoshihiro Okino, Kyoto Jazz Massive

“A touch of folk, more than a hint of funk, jazz-style solos, amazing 20-piece string arrangements, and a blending of electronics and keyboards with organic sounds and social commentary… You could easily get laid to this stuff.” -Water Magazine

“With influences stretching from Milton Nascimento and Herbie Hancock to Frank Zappa and Jimmy Webb, Verocai was very much a product of the Tropicalia era, drawing on the music of the exterior to speak to the oppressed youth. Touching on folk, jazz cinema music and early electronica Verocai’s self-titled album is a stunning piece of work and worthy of comparisons with the lo-fi sound of Shuggie Otis and the orchestral soul of Charles Stepney. A wonderful discovery.” -Straight No Chaser