Musical style and influences Gilberto Gil

gil tenor, sings in baritone or falsetto register, lyrics and/or scat syllables. lyrics on subjects range philosophy religion, folktales, , word play. gil s musical style incorporates broad range of influences. first music exposed included beatles , street performers in various metropolitan areas of bahia. during first years musician, gil performed in blend of traditional brazilian styles two-step rhythms, such baião , samba. states first phase 1 of traditional forms. nothing experimental @ all. caetano [veloso] , followed in tradition of luiz gonzaga , jackson pandeiro, combining samba northeastern music.

as 1 of pioneers of tropicália, influences genres such rock , punk have been pervasive in recordings, have been in of other stars of period, including caetano veloso , tom zé. gil s interest in blues-based music of rock pioneer jimi hendrix, in particular, has been described veloso having extremely important consequences brazilian music . veloso noted influence of brazilian guitarist , singer jorge ben on gil s musical style, coupled of traditional music. after height of tropicália in 1960s, gil became increasingly interested in black culture, particularly in jamaican musical genre of reggae. described genre form of democratizing, internationalizing, speaking new language, heideggerian form of passing along fundamental messages .

visiting lagos, nigeria, in 1976 festival of african culture (festac), gil met fellow musicians fela kuti , stevie wonder. became inspired african music , later integrated of styles had heard in africa, such juju , highlife, own recordings. 1 of famous of these african-influenced records 1977 album refavela, included no norte da saudade (to north of sadness), song heavily influenced reggae. when gil returned brazil after visit, focused on afro-brazilian culture, becoming member of carnaval afoxé group filhos de gandhi.

conversely, 1980s musical repertoire presented increased development of dance trends, such disco , soul, previous incorporation of rock , punk. however, gil says 1994 album acoustic not such new direction, had performed unplugged caetano veloso. describes method of playing easier other types of performance, energy of acoustic playing simple , influenced roots. gil has been criticized conflicting involvement in both authentic brazilian music , worldwide musical arena. has had walk fine line, simultaneously remaining true traditional bahian styles , engaging commercial markets. listeners in bahia have been more accepting of blend of music styles, while in southeast brazil felt @ odds it.