Bahian-born singer Daniela Mercury is criminally unknown in the United States. She’s had more #1 hits in Brazil than any other female artist. Globally she’s sold over 20 million albums. Daniela Mercury is a superstar, a true international icon.
Her latest album, Virtual Vinyl, continues her upward trajectory from her start as a dancer through her long career as a solo artist. The album is a fusion of styles that, despite having only one song in English, her whimsical, idealized view of life, “Frogs in the Sky,” is very accessible to most listeners.
It hints at her roots in Salvador de Bahia, the musical capital of Brazil, and the grand Trios Eléctricos—giant rolling party machines, which are central to Carnival celebrations in the city. But it also reaches into the modern era with electronic, rock, and reggae touches.
One cut, “Antropofágicos São Paulistanos,” rocks out with buzzing electric guitar and a vocal that hints at high energy rapping. In the middle of the song, she exclaims in English, “To be or not to be.”
1. A Rainha Do Axe? (Rainha Ma?)
8. De Deus, De Alah, De Gilberto Gil (with Gilberto Gil)
9. Extranhos Terrestres (Aperto De Mente)
10. Antropofa?gicos Sa?o Paulistanos
12. Vinil Virtual (Aperto De Mente 2)
14. Minha Ma?e, Minha Pa?tria
15. Senhora Do Terreiro (Ma?e Carmem)