Review

Tagua Tagua: Tanto (Wonderwheel Recordings)

Based in São Paulo and formed in 2017, Tagua Tagua is fronted by singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Felipe Puperi. Puperi follows his debut album, which laid the groundwork for his own particular brand of tropical soul-filled psychedelia with this, his second album and its natural progression.

Recorded in the countryside on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Felipe concocted ten compositions whilst channelling soul heroes past and present like Bill Withers, Sault and D’Angelo. A natural tenor that slips into falsetto, as typified by opener “Pra Tras” which processes a dreamy, yet dope, downtempo and string-laden lushness. The next tune “Tanto” follows suit, with rhodes piano and organ riding gloriously high in the mix. This track comes complete with yearning vocals, sung in Portuguese, which work well over their neo-soul outpourings.

Drummer, Leo Mattos, adds his organic lo-fi blessedness to proceedings, making sure the numbers groove and swing. I really like the way he plays behind the beat and really gets into the cracks, especially on “Me Leva”. Whilst Puperi takes care of electric guitar, piano, bass, keys and the occasional dip into the organ.

There are some great key sounds all over this joint and the track “Brisa” has its fair share of sonic variation, it’s a rich engrossing sound over an expansive-sounding production, drenched in warm spring reverb which works extremely well on tracks like keys heavy, “Barcelona”. Like a lo-fi Daft Punk, its anthemic sounding inventive is cleverly overlaid and stacked with sonic goodies.

However, you kind of hope for a bit of banger to appear, which unfortunately doesn’t happen but, don’t let that deter you from this guy’s wizardry. it’s rather unique and special and for that, this release and the artist should be highly commended.
Words Emrys Baird