The Squid's Ear Magazine


Madeira, Joao / Margarida Mestre : Voz Debaixo (4DaRecord)

Exploring the fluid boundaries between singing, recitation, and speech, bassist João Madeira and vocalist Margarida Mestre present an intricate dialogue of sound and expression, recorded in Lisbon, with Mestre's voice shifting between phonetic poetry, storytelling, and abstract improvisation, while Madeira's double bass, guitar, and field recordings weave around and underpin her vocalizations.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Joao Madeira-double bass, guitar, field recording

Margarida Mestre-voice


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UPC: 198500065886

Label: 4DaRecord
Catalog ID: 4DRCD011
Squidco Product Code: 35756

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2024
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Digipack
Recorded at Memoria, in Lisboa, Portugal, in March 2022. by Joao Madeira.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"In his writings, Pierre Boulez posed the question: Is the poem to be sung, recited or spoken? On this album, we added more nuances to the possibilities of expression; we asked ourselves if there is really a difference between singing, reciting or saying, and if there are any boundaries at all, between these nuances. We therefore invite the listener to accompany us on this journey."-4DaRecord



"A voice and a double bass. A fascinating alliance like a beautiful bird singing and yawning on a branch. The double bass vibrates with all its wood, its soul, its hatches, its throbbing bridge, and with all the depth of its case that covets feminine curves. Faced with this imposing instrument, which seems awkward but which João Madeira's wit and talent make vibrate and sing, bounce and reverberate, Margarida Mestre's voice swirls and rises, fragile and confident, inspired and garrulous, secret and audacious, multiform, a storyteller and poet of the ineffable.

Margarida creates and renews narratives over the course of ten pieces that each have their own story, their own feelings, their own allusions, and a distinctive poetry. The sound of the Portuguese language is magnificent. Phonetic sound poetry versus fragments of bowed ostinatos re-recorded in 'Aconteco-me.' In 'Deu la Deu,' the timbre of her voice evokes Jeanne Lee, backed by a slight walking-bass of circumstance.

If the bow oscillates lovingly in 'Paisagem,' the wandering voice murmurs a wordless refrain in 'Muinera para 2,' and we recognize a Diction recording of an English story, The Walrus and the Carpenter, a poetic narrative in which the double bass plays the role of the carpenter sawing logs. We hear the wood vibrate as it is transformed into planks, reacting instinctively to the narrator's words and emphases, penetrating the meaning of the text with the stroke of a bow. Over ten superbly well-filled minutes, the double bassist's sensitivity embodies a second imaginary character, the voice accompanied with great talent by the double bass.

In 'Co,' Margarida's voice implodes vocally with borborygmos-intimately oral sonorities that trigger the tongue, lips, cheeks, roof of the mouth, throat, and inspiration-while the double bassist chastises his double bass with a scalpel bow in tune. Each of the duo's compositions-an amazing conversation-takes on different meanings of sung, spoken, and improvised vocal work, in a poetic and dramatic dimension of the human voice, using all the resources of an experienced singer with advanced techniques.

The bassist's role is to create a sonic thread that brings together the different imaginative compositions within a work that is completely open to diversity. By inserting into it a remarkable improvised and playful dimension-didactic and superbly original-the duo crafts an album that resonates with expressive intensity and boundless creativity."-Jean-Michel Van Schouwburg


Artist Biographies

Joao Madeira: "I was born in Lisboa and I've dedicated most of my energy to the doublebass since I was 12. When I went to study at the Conservatório de Lisboa my role model was doublebassist João Panta Nunes, and lately my studies were oriented by Jorge Lee, at Cascais. I have a degree in Musicology, investigation work on Fado's candidature to World Immaterial Heritage by UNESCO, and coordination of the Music Department at INATEL/FNAT. Since 1999 I have a strong activity (studio and performance) in several styles and genres, but improvised music and original composition (whatever the style...) are the places where my musical language riches its higher satisfaction and plenitude. In the recordings you are about to hear it's me who plays all the instruments. My passion is at the simple act of artistic creation. For me, music is all about musicians and genuine expression! It doesn't matter the genre neither the instrument per si. In theater I have collaborations (musician, composer, actor) with Companhia do Chapitô and Artistas Unidos, amongst others. I also love books (...) I've studied aesthetics and Portuguese literature since I remember, and love to read and write poetry."

-Reverb Nation (https://www.reverbnation.com/eudemadeira/song/9496502-mejardim-joo-madeira)
2/14/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Margarida Mestre is a Portuguese artist, performer, and art educator specializing in movement and voice. She holds a Master's degree in Performing Arts and has developed a distinctive approach that integrates vocal expression with physical movement. Throughout her career, Mestre has collaborated with various musicians and artists to create poetic performances and educational projects. Her work often explores themes related to the environment and multidisciplinary artistic experiences. In addition to her performances, she is active in pedagogy, leading workshops and projects for children, youth, and adults across Portugal. Mestre's contributions to the arts have been recognized in platforms such as the "Women on Scene" project, which highlights female creators in the performing arts.

-Squidco 2/14/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Disco Riscado 1:49

2. Last 3:38

3. Aconteco-Me De Ja Instante 2:02

4. Deu La Deu 2:30

5. The Walrus And The Carpenter 10:20

6. Muineira Para 2 4:52

7. Perfection 6:57

8. Co 6:15

9. Paisagem Rupestre Com Vento Sul E Portao Verde 3:00

10. Ouco O Banjo 4:09

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
Electro-Acoustic
Electro-Acoustic Improv
Unusual Vocal Forms
Spoken Word
Stringed Instruments
Field Recordings
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Duo Recordings
New in Improvised Music
Recent Releases and Best Sellers

Search for other titles on the label:
4DaRecord.


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