It is now time to present the new work from pair Maria João / Mário Laginha. With release foreseen for this years' last trimester, "Chocolate", how this new CD is named, sets the singer and pianist return to their close collaboration which lasts for more than 10 years now. After their last album of originals "Tralha", released in 2004, João and Laginha proceeded with personal projects, which included the pianist first solo album, awarded "Canções e Fugas", released in 2005, and also a Trio recording "Espaço", in 2007. Maria João, by her side, fulfilled in 2007, with the album "João", one of the dreams that pursuited her for years: the recreation of classics from the traditional Brazilian songbook.

With this "Chocolate", singer and pianist privilege one of their most strong influences: the Jazz. The new CD features original themes, lyrics by Maria João, music by Mário Laginha, and also standards adjusted to this pair’s unique language and musical style. This is an assumed "Jazzy" work, shaping a kind of return to the origins of both musicians.

Curiously, the new work was recorded with a formation that, although with other instrumentalists, in some way recreates the Quintet which set the basis for Maria João's first record, released on 1983, 25 years ago. From that pioneer formation only the singer and the pianist remain. Julian Argüelles in tenor and soprano saxophones, Bernardo Moreira on double bass, as well as Helge Norbakken and Alexandre Frazão on drums and percussion complete the formation which studio recorded this "Chocolate".

Every album by Maria João and Maria Laginha always creates a big expectation. For this we only have to scan quickly through this pair's discography, and realise how fair is it to wait only the best on each new work, since the pioneers "Danças", "Chorinho Feliz" and "Mumadji", until the most recent ones "Undercovers" and "Tralha".

"Chocolate" is a special album. One can say it commemorates this 25 years long and strong relationship, recovering the first record's same instrumental formation, although with different instrumentalists alongside with Maria João and Mário Laginha. As the 1983 album, "Chocolate" also includes some standards and original themes by the singer and pianist.

"What brings us together is pure love", by the music and for each other, and that’s why we chose the name "Chocolate", explains Maria João. For the singer, who "loves chocolate", "the music is delicious, it's like the sounds are little bits of chocolate", said to Diário de Notícias.

This new album will have its live presentations on October the 30th at Casa da Música, Porto, November 25th at Teatro Académico Gil Vicente, Coimbra, and December the 5th at CCB Main Auditorium, Lisbon.

CHOCOLATE

Produced by Maria João and Mário Laginha, and recorded by Nelson Carvalho at Valentim de Carvalho studio, this work features Maria João voice, Mário Laginha on piano, Julian Argüelles on tenor and soprano saxophones, Bernardo Moreira on doublebass, Helge Andreas Norbakken on percussions, songs 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and Alexandre Frazão on drums, songs 4, 5, 6.

1. I Have a Heart Just Like Yours 5’47’’
Lyrics: Maria João / Music: Mário Laginha

2. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat 4’28’’
Lyrics: Joni Mitchell / Music: Charles Mingus
(Elegant elegy dedicated to the memory of Lester Young, composed in 1959 by Charles Mingus, about a Joni Mitchell poem, a few months after the decease of Young, one of the most important and influent American saxophonist and clarinettist).

3. I've Grown Accustomed to His Face 4’59’’
Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner / Music: Frederick Loewe
(Song from the 1956 musical "My Fair Lady", which illustrates the anger, felt by Professor Higgins when his pupil Eliza Doolittle stepped away from his life, and the growing acknowledgment of how much he will miss her).

4. Sweet Suite 11’48’’
Music: Mário Laginha

5. This Time 7’55’’
Lyrics: Maria João / Music: Mário Laginha

6. Modern Mode / I’m Old Fashioned 3’39’’
"Modern Mode": Music: Mário Laginha / "I'm Old Fashioned": Lyrics: Johnny Mercer / Music: Jerome Kern
("I'm Old Fashioned", composed in 1942 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, was written for the movie 'You Were Never Lovelier' with Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth as protagonists. This first song's recording belongs to Fred Astaire with John Scott Trotter and his orchestra, that same year).

7. If You Could See Me Now 6’42’’
Lyrics: Carl Sigman, Tadd Dameron / Music: Tadd Dameron
(One of the first successes of Sarah Vaughan's career, in 1946)

8. Mati Mati 6’38’’
Lyrics: Maria João / Music: Mário Laginha

9. When You Wish Upon a Star 2’37’’
Lyrics: Ned Washington / Music: Leigh Harline
(This song, included in the Disney movie "Pinóquio" in 1940, sang by Cliff Edwards, who voiced the character Jiminy Cricket, on opening and ending movie credits, won that same year the Academy Oscar for Best Original Song, and today is still considered by the American Film Institute as the best Disney song and one of the 100 best movie songs ever).