Túnel Acústico is Marcos Valle through and through. The 23rd album from the Carioca, a wonderful teenager now aged 81, is a natural, groovy continuation of what he’s been doing for ages. Over samba, bossa (slowed-down samba) or jazzy funk rhythms with a touch of disco, the singer lays down his soft, whispering voice in a tone of confidence, the proverbial contrast to his muscular approach to performance. For the non-Lusophone, the music far outweighs the text, revealing a unique way of conceiving groove. Composer, arranger and keyboardist solid enough to support him harmonically and rhythmically, he seems to retain that exemplary form of beach bum and tropical dandy, always at the helm of more than seasoned musicians. Túnel Acústico refreshes some of the classics in its repertoire, such as “Para De Faser Besteira” and “Todo Dia Santo”, and we absorb the whole thing without wishing for anything new or innovative. Marcos Valle first surfed on the Brazilian new wave (bossa nova, that’s right), created huge hits (especially So Nice -Summer Samba / Samba de Verão) that all the elevators and supermarkets welcomed to embed themselves in millions of cerebral cortexes, then positioned himself in a much less commercial niche and created an absolutely timeless work. That’s why Túnel Acústico must be savored, and why you must attend his concert this Thursday, October 3 at the Fairmount Theatre.
