Rodrigo Leão - Os Portugueses (2018)

Assembling sole compositions constructed by different inspirations, Rodrigo Leão constructed his own way of creating music, somewhere in between progressive and experimental electronic soundings. One of the most important composers and performers of the late '90s in Portugal, Rodrigo Leão started his career by working with some of the most prominent Portuguese groups of that time. Leão first started playing with Sétima Legião, an ensemble that produced new visions for Portuguese modern pop music in the beginning of the '80s. Three years later, he became part of one of the most significant musical projects born in Portuguese territory, Madredeus, again playing the keyboards. However, it was not until 1993 that he decided to record his first solo record, Ave Mundi Luminar. The album reflected numberless influences, from classical music to modern downbeat soundings, making a particular statement of his singular songwriting capacity. With the vocal works of Teresa Salgueiro, and with lyrics written in Latin, the album ultimately obtained significant success all across Europe. A year later, Leão decided to abandon Madredeus, and from then on he focused entirely on his solo career. Theatrum, his second album, arrived in record stores in 1995, and once more reflected his particular composing abilities, portraying singular musical paths that were once again inspired by electronic sounds and world music. More than five years later, in 2000, he released Alma Mater, his third album, once more receiving considerable acclaim. ~ Mario Mesquita Borges