Torcendo a Terra

twisting the earth
Ricardo Herz – BR-UPM-16-00001

This song, which gives the album its title, perfectly encapsulates the record’s spirit.
Initially, I wanted to compose a *jongo*—a rhythm from the interior of São Paulo—and thought about blending it with *chaabi*, a North African rhythm (their rhythmic patterns are similar).
In reality, while it draws inspiration from these rhythms, it doesn’t strictly belong to any of them; it’s a journey across various places.
Michi’s solo leans a bit toward jazz or flamenco, Pedro’s part is distinctly African, and there’s a section with an Indian vibe… It turned into a real melting pot… In that sense, it’s very Brazilian, isn’t it?
Let’s wring out the earth and extract the best it has to offer!

Horizontes
Ricardo Herz BR-UPM-16-00007

Continuing with the concept of blending influences, rhythms, and flavors—creating world music—I composed “Horizontes.”
It has Arab/Jewish, Western, and Brazilian facets.
For this track, we feature the special participation of a brilliant Brazilian percussionist who traverses every musical horizon: Zé Luis Nascimento.
I met Zé when I was living in France (where he still resides).
To me, he is one of the world’s greatest musicians.
His vision as a percussion arranger is incredibly original.
We recorded the track as a trio and sent it to Zé in France so he could layer in whatever percussion he chose.
I gave him carte blanche because I knew anything I suggested would be less original than what he would come up with.
Thanks, Zé!

Ladeira da Pilha
Ricardo Herz / Michi Ruzitschka BR-UPM-16-00002

My first collaboration with Michi!
The initial idea came from a musical phrase I wrote for the Co-Bra project—a collaboration between pianist Benjamim Taubkin, the Korean group Jeong Ga Ak Hoe, and Ari Colares.
I blended that section—which had a *rastapé* feel—with a *frevo* I had composed, and added a few more parts, but I was struggling to weave it all together organically.
While rehearsing with Michi, we came up with another section together and structured the whole piece!
The title comes from the steep hills of Olinda and the music’s fast tempo!

a passionate *xote*
Ricardo Herz BR-UPM-16-00006

A *xote* has to feel good—both to dance to and to listen to.
I’d wanted to compose one for a long time, but writing an instrumental *xote* is tricky.
It’s hard to make it interesting enough to stand on its own without lyrics while still retaining that great *xote* feel.
The trio kept this in mind for the arrangement, too: just listen to the grooves Pedro and Michi lay down. They often hint at the *xote* rhythm without stating it explicitly, or we might step away from it entirely, yet we never lose that sensation of dancing close with a partner who really has the groove.
To top off this version, we had a truly special guest appearance by the person I consider the greatest heir to this musical tradition: Mestrinho.
The first time I went to one of his *forró* dances, I was certain that Dominguinhos hadn’t really left us; he was very much alive in the hands and soul of this great musician and wonderful person, Mestrinho.
After he recorded his part, I asked him to play a free-form introduction, just like he does at his own *forró* shows.
Just look at the beautiful thing he created!
Thanks, Mestrinho!!!!

on one foot
Ricardo Herz BR-UPM-16-00008

This was the last track from the “torcendo a terra” [twisting the earth] batch.
It draws influence from various things I’ve been listening to lately: the Israeli jazz of bassist Avishai Cohen (especially in the rhythmic riffs), the distinctly Brazilian yet global sound of Vento em Madeira (the counterpoints and melodies), and—I think—it reflects a lot of what we’ve been doing and listening to as a trio.
On the album *Aqui é o Meu Lá*, we recorded a song called “Saci,” which was also in 5/4 time. I decided to create a follow-up, exploring the melodic, contrapuntal, and rhythmic possibilities of the violin, guitar, and drums.
There are moments when you can’t tell which instrument is carrying the main melody.
That’s because there isn’t a single main melody.
This piece was composed with Pedro and Michi in mind—in a true band spirit.

brisa
Ricardo Herz BR-UPM-16-00003

I had the idea of ​​composing a *maracatu* in a ternary rhythm.
At first, it was meant to be heavy and was going to be called “Ventaneira,” but then a light, atmospheric tune emerged.
It became “Brisa” [Breeze].
Speaking of wind, this track features a very special guest appearance by the great Teco Cardoso on bass flute.
He joined in on our “breeze,” sharing the solo with Pedro Ito.
The solos in this song (guitar, followed by drums and bass flute) capture that spirit—taking you along on the journey and embracing you like a warm breeze.

esperançoso
Ricardo Herz BR-UPM-16-00005

I composed this slow *choro* with the old *choros* in mind—specifically, Jacó’s “Vibrações” (anyone familiar with that piece will notice the connection, especially in the guitar accompaniment during the second section).
From the very first phrases, I imagined Fábio Peron playing along with me.
This superb mandolinist knows the *choro* tradition inside out;
he grew up in *choro* jam sessions.
Beyond *choro*, he is also well-versed in improvisation and modern composition within jazz and Brazilian instrumental music.
He delivered a beautiful performance!
Thanks, Peron!
My thanks also go to Nelson Ayres for the suggestion to play it at a slow tempo.
This track is my tribute to the *choro* of the past and to the new generation of Brazilian musicians who fill us with hope!

Atlantic
Ernesto Nazareth BR-UPM-16-00004

To close out the album, here is a piece by Ernesto Nazareth that is a delight to play, listen to, and dance to!
I always like to showcase the swinging, fun side of the violin in Brazilian music on my albums, and this track is perfect for that!
Thanks, everyone!
See you next time!

twisting the earth  6:54
horizons(feat. Zé Luiz Nascimento) 7:37
Ladeira da Pilha4:55
a passionate *xote*(feat. Mestrinho) 7:06
on one foot 8:29
breeze(feat. Teco Cardoso) 7:32
hopeful(featuring Fábio Peron) 6:11
Atlântico3:35

Acknowledgements
Pedro, Michi, Dani, for the essential input from maestro Nelson Ayres, Teco Cardoso, Mestrinho, Fábio Peron, Zé Luis Nascimento, Natallino Neto, Adonias Jr., Mosca, Mom, Jacques Figueiras, Gustavo Anitelli, Scubi, Garga, family, and everyone who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign for this album!
Everyone who contributed patience, love, and friendship throughout the process—there are so many of you, and you are all so important, that I would surely forget someone!
Thanks, everyone!
This album belongs to all of us!
Thank you so much!