In examining the colorful cultural blend that is Brazilian music, a rainbow of myriad urban and regional styles emerges. From choro to forro, from baiao to maracatu, from afoxe' to samba cancao....it is a dizzying spectrum with far too many widely divergent styles to mention here now. Suffice it to say that if there is anything at all they have in common in content, it would be the peculiarly Brazilian experience of saudade - that deep longing or yearning for something or someone.

While one aspect of the Brazilian musical rainbow has been very much in vogue here of late, there is some debate as to whether this is an authentic movement or a stylistic bandwagon. Indeed, it might behoove us to distinguish between Bossa Nova the musical movement and genre, which incidentally has been around since the late 50's in Brazil, the land of its birth, and the Bossa-influenced pop stylings so prevalent nowadays. The very nature of Bossa Nova with its cool laid-back sound, wistful lyrics and sophisticated harmonic structure suggests a musical format of considerable depth and cultural overlay. And lest we forget, Bossa Nova's musical antecedent, from which it takes much of its rhythmic components, is the national music of Brazil -samba.

In the local scene today, there is one singer I know who has taken the arduous task of immersing herself in the culture of Brazil - taking regular trips to Rio and beyond, learning the language and its nuances and most importantly, acculturating herself with the music. Eileen Sison has, for over several years, made Brazilian music and culture her raison d'etre' . She has lived it, breathed it, sung it and danced it. Now, with the release of her new album, we shall all be treated to a delightful blend of musical expressions from Brazil. Sometimes soft and sensuous, sometimes sultry and syncopated, the songs in the album form an excellent cross-section of styles Brazilian. Eileen and her band Guarana together with special guest artists, departs from the usual cliches and embarks on more ambitious and adventurous arrangements. Samba and Bossa classics are given a fresh take. The percolating percussion grooves called batucadas will make you move. Authentic and traditional Brazilian instruments were used in the making of this album....check it out. Eileen Sison, she has carioca and saudade coursing, albeit through osmosis, in her blood. And that's about as Brazilian as you're going to get in these here parts.

BO RAZON
The Philippines' Afro-Brazilian/Afro-Cuban Percussion Master

Eileen Sison, the prime mover of the Brazilian/Latin band - Guarana, has become the legitimate ambassador of Brazilian music in the Philippines. A longtime student of the language, the culture, the arts and the people of Brasil, Eileen is adept and very familiar the many moods, textures and flavors of Brazilian music. Finally, this long awaited and much anticipated album of Eileen Sison and Guarana is finally here to give us pure joy....to make us reflective and even sometimes. . . .to bring on the tears. This is Brazilian music as it should be - multifaceted, atmospheric, buoyant and celebratory. Together with the versatile instrumentalists of Guarana (the band), this album (as hinted by its cover art) delivers a colorful sonic mosaic showcasing the different styles and genres of contemporary Brazilian music as performed and interpreted by the Philippines' best!

MOY ORTIZ
The CompanY
Vocalist/Musical Director/Arranger/Producer

"Eileen Sison is a treasure. The music of Brasil has finally found a worthy and true interpreter of the bossa nova and the samba in Manila. Someone who knows what "saudade" is about and someone who can also shuffle her feet and swing her hips to the drums of Carnaval with the best of the Brasileiras out there. Maravilhosa!
You see, Eileen does not stop at bossa nova. She is curious about the music that came before and after that period. And she loves the language. If she had a wish I think she would want to be a Brasileira.
My trips to Manila are always in anticipation of the many nights of music with Eileen. Nights that could go on for days singing the songs of Ary Barroso, Chico Buarque, Carlos Lyra, Garoto, Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, etc.

After listening to the music one afternoon at home Eileen surprised me with a complete set of lyrics in 24 hours flat (maybe less) of "Bossa Nova Blues" in English, Tagalog and Brazilian Portuguese! Muito Obrigado, dear dear friend for bringing life to it.

Saude! Beijinhos! Abracos, and all that good stuff. I love you!

Com Afeto

BOB BASA"
Bossa Nova Guitarist
Pebble Beach, California, USA

EILEEN SISON and GUARANA never fail to 'light up every music lover's life' with their infectious brazilian rhythms, grooves and 'SAUDADE' nuances.
"A huge 'MABUHAY' to you Eileen and Guarana for sharing with us a legacy of this beautiful and unique music genre."

MON DAVID
Grand Prize Winner, 2006 London International Jazz Competition
International Recording Artist, Candid Records

Singer Eileen Sison's devotion to matters Brazilian, particularly the romantic Portugese language and the catchy rhythms of samba, batucada and bossa nova; this was a certainty known for many years amongst Manila’s tightly-knit musical community. Today, that her pioneering efforts at fusing Brazilian and Filipino passions have broken through, this is just cause for reverie and a triumph for the connoisseurs of the wonderful, swinging genre called Popular Musica Brasileira. Together with her group, Guarana (named after a health drink; Brazilian, but of course!) and friends such as Bo Razon, Bob Basa and Henry Katindig, her maiden collection of songs should both regale and soothe the senses.

JOHNNY ALEGRE
Manila, 2007
International Jazz Guitarist
(Candid Records)

Parabens Eileen, Guarana! It is high time that the passion and genuine artistry that for years has marked the lively, infectious and spirited performances of this wonderful group of musicians is finally coming together in this album. I am honored to have been able to be part of the creative process in some small way, to have been touched by the magic of it, and to have seen it all come to fruition.

JANA ABRERA-DEL PRADO
Vocalist, Thursday Jazz Nights at M Cafe

Having spent considerable time traveling throughout Brazil (from Rio de Janeiro to the jungles of the Amazon) over the past decade, I came to love and appreciate the unique and captivating music which permeates through the souls of the Brazilian people. In traveling the world, I had sought out replication of this intoxicating sound but was never able to find singers outside of Brazil who could capture not only the sound of the Brazilian people, but also the soul of their feelings towards their music. That is until I happened to come across a Filipina singer in the year 2000 at her weekly gig at Larry's Bar in Malate, Manila.

Almost monthly thereafter for over six years, I came back to Manila and watched her sing and transform herself into someone whom I consider one of the founding individuals of Bossa Nova in the Philippines (that is, after Bong Peñera and Bo Razon, I am told). I was constantly able to watch her growth as a Bossa Nova/Samba artist and when she started her current band GUARANÁ, her transformation in my mind was complete. After looking through the available CDs in music stores in Manila malls, I felt that the Philippines was not getting to hear the true Brazilian sound from someone who not only can sing the tunes as well as any native Brazilian, but also by someone who has studied the history of the music, can speak Portuguese, holds her own daily radio spot on the music, runs a weekly samba class in Manila and someone who has actually been to Brazil several times to better deliver the sound and soul of the music.

This is why I decided to produce this album. I wanted the Philippines to be able to see what a treasure they have coming from their own in Eileen Sison and Guaraná and to be able to really hear and feel the sound of true Musica Brasileira. This is my gift to a country very special to my heart, the Philippines. I hope you enjoy their music. Congratulations and thanks to all the band members and guest artists for their big heart and enormous talent.

MARK BARRA
Executive Producer
Rio Barra Music