SONG PREMIERE: Victor Rice Pours a Ray of Sunshine with Brazilian Jazz-Influenced “Bebida”

In 2017, Latin GRAMMY award-winning producer, engineer, and musician Victor Rice released Smoke, his first solo album in over 15 years. The album was released on tastemaker indie label Easy Star Records and garnered critical praise and a cult-like following. Smoke was unique in how it presented Rice’s new sound combining the musical styles of Brazil and Jamaica by fusing Samba and Rocksteady, which he aptly calls “Samba-Rocksteady” or “SRS.” The momentum of that release has now spawned more brilliant music in that style. Rice states, “I can’t talk about Drink without referring to Smoke; it’s definitely part two of the trilogy of albums I’m working on.” Drink is set for release on May 15th on Easy Star Records.

The blending of sounds and cultures comes natural to Rice, who was raised in New York City, but has currently called São Paulo, Brazil his home for nearly 20 years. In addition, Rice spends a lot of time in Europe and recorded most of the album in Charleroi, Belgium, at Badasonic Studio with collaborator Nico Leonard.

Rice has been a well-respected contributor to legendary bands such as The Slackers, Easy Star All-Stars, Bixiga 70, and The Skatalites. Rice has also received top recognition for his mixing and engineering capabilities during his immersive stay in Brazil, which helped him bring home two Latin GRAMMYs (2015, 2016) and become further knowledgeable in the depths of the rich history of Brazilian music.

Today Glide is excited to premiere Rice’s tune “Bebida,” which translates to “drink” in Portuguese. Considering the translation, the song is sort of a title track, and it is most definitely the feel-good tune of the record. With a swinging band that is adds dashes of throwback ska, lounge, bossanova, jazz and even Afrobeat, the song is the kind of groovy tune that feels suited for a loose and flowing night on the town. There is a hipness in the music as it sways to the beat while working in solos from the saxophone and piano that make you smile as if you’ve just thrown back a few bebidas with friends at a sunny cafe. It’s overflowing with infectious piano rolls, standout horns, and a skanking vibe. Oddly enough, Rice points out that the song’s “production began in Belgium and started out as a dark, brooding thing. But it wound up being a playful romp, thanks to Brazilian interventions from Agenor de Lorenzi on piano and Marcelo Freitas on tenor sax.” Indeed, there is nothing brooding about the final product here, but rather it serves as a vibrant reminder of the days when we could socialize and enjoy public spaces together. 

LISTEN:

Drink is out May 15th. PRE-ORDER
Photo credit: Alisson Louback

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