If you ever wondered where Brazilian music is going now, open your ears and your mind to a guy called Lenine, one of the most eclectic and inspiring musicians to emerge from the diverse musical scene in Brazil.
Originally from Recife (North East of Brazil) but living in Rio since he was eighteen, Lenine is not a new face in Brazilian Music. When Chico Science and his explosive mix of local street music, rock and dub emerged in 96 shaking the foundations of the Brazilian pop music scene, Lenine was following the same recipe, only with different ingredients.
His first album was 'Baque solto', a partnership with Lula Queiroga released back in 1983. Ten years later came collaboration, 'Olho de Peixe', this time with the percussionist Marco Suzano. This album was a breakthrough in the career of both artists, getting them public and critical acclaim. Marco Suzano's 'Pandeiro' (tambourine) became his signature in some of the best moments of Brazilian music and Lenine soon after released his first solo album 'O Dia em que Faremos Contato', a work which revealed that Lenine's musical universe was broader than in previous albums. Lenine is always tuned into what goes on around, for him music is universal and in this album he flirts with all kinds of influences, from Brazilian street music to dance music and rock.

Long before gaining broad recognition in his own country, Lenine set his sights on the international scene and his next cd 'Na Pressao' was released in Europe in 1999 selling 30 thousand copies in France alone. For the last nine years he has been touring constantly, building up a solid reputation as a powerful live act especially on the Continent, where he draws thousands of people to his shows.

I saw Lenine live for the first time in Marseille where he played a world music festival, having to follow a popular local French Arabic hip hop band who rocked the place. In the break the crowd thinned out and at the beginning of the gig it looked like people wouldn't take notice of him. But, by the second song people were pouring back and by the third the place was on fire again. After that gig I asked him how he manages to captivate people who can't understand the lyrics he writes in his native Portuguese, especially since the lyrics are such a powerful part of the songs. Lenine explained that it's the way he composes, fitting the melody and the rhythm of the words to the song in a such a way that the essential is not the lyric's particular significance, but the feeling that comes across from the composition as a whole.

There are no boundaries to Lenine's music. It's not meant to be contained by languages, formats, borders or ghettos. He once said that he is "searching for the balance between the roots and the aerial" and inspiration can come from the streets of Recife or Rio as easily as it comes from the streets of Paris or NY. He compares the process of composing (creation) to life, a never-ending learning curve. So, he experiments with everything, you will find all from raw and intuitive grooves to highly refined harmonies in his music.

But he hasn't achieved his reputation just by being gifted and persistent; there is something else behind his success: He is gregarious with his art and his ability to work in partnerships is already a legend in Brazilian music. He spots talent like nobody else, so he is always in good company and always active, besides his own work he composes for many other Brazilian singers, has some film and theatre soundtracks under his belt, produces and still finds time to compose sambas for 'Suvaco do Cristo' (Christ's Armpit), a carnival street band from Rio. His latest album, 'Lenine In Cité', was recorded live in Paris at a project commissioned by 'Le Cité de la Musique', a one off gig where he shares the stage with the Argentinean percussionist Ramiro Mussoto, and the Cuban bass player Iusa.

This is the album he is promoting on this tour and although 'Incité' is essentially acoustic Lenine is now back playing with his own band so you can expect a different approach to the material. With his band he delivers the true meaning of his saying about the roots and the aerial. Brazilian street rhythms like samba and maracatu blended with rock and electronica are turbinated by drummer Pantico Rocha and bassist Guila, providing a powerful groove for Lenine's voice and acoustic guitar. But he doesn't just experiment with rhythm and harmony. Music is noise and noise is music too, so you have Jr Tostoi's mesmerizing guitar imprinting exquisite textures and moods to Lenine's music. It's a very well crafted performance where you can see his musical universe in full, not to be missed.

Lenine plays at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Tuesday the 23rd of November

Discography:
‘Baque solto’- Duo with Lula Queiroga - 1983
‘Olho de peixe’ Duo with Marco Suzano - 1993
‘O Dia Em Que Faremos Contato’ - 1997
‘Na Pressao’ - 1999
‘Falange Canibal’ 2002
‘Lenine In Cité’ Cd and DVD - 2004