Ornatos Violeta
Encyclopedia
Ornatos Violeta were a Portuguese
alternative rock
group whose music included some other influences, such as funk
, jazz
and ska
. The band was formed in the city of Porto
.
With Manel Cruz (voices), Nuno Prata (bass), Peixe
(guitar), Kinörn (drums) and Elísio Donas (keyboard) and only two albums, they quickly became a reference in Portuguese music of the end of the 1990s, though the most successful part of their career lasted for only three years, after which the group split.
, the voice of Clã
(another successful Portuguese band) - an album where for the first time the group showed they were keen to explore a mixed sound, with Cruz's unique writing style, much to their fans', and most of the national musical reviewers', delight.
In the following year, during the Expo 98, they collaborated on the compilation Tejo Beat alongside Boss AC
, Blasted Mechanism
, Zen
and Flood with the song Tempo de Nascer.
Their last album, O Monstro Precisa de Amigos (The Monster Needs Friends), came out in 1999, with a more carefully thought production, and generally speaking, a less active and calmer style. The album contained the singles Ouvi Dizer, a duet with the older Portuguese musician Vitor Espadinha, and Capitão Romance, with Gordon Gano
, vocalist of the well-known Violent Femmes
. It was also during that year that they helped to produce XX Anos XX Bandas, a tribute to the Portuguese band Xutos e Pontapés, with a cover of Xutos' song Circo de Feras.
After some speculation about their future, Ornatos Violeta split in 2002. Fortunately for their fans, Pluto followed, a more traditional rock group, with Manel Cruz (vocals + rhythm guitar) and Peixe (lead guitar).
In 2009 one of the main radio stations in Portugal, Antena 3, celebrated 15 years choosing the best 15 albums of those years. O Monstro Precisa de Amigos came in 1st place.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
group whose music included some other influences, such as funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
. The band was formed in the city of Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
.
With Manel Cruz (voices), Nuno Prata (bass), Peixe
Peixe
Peixe is a town and municipality in the state of Tocantins in the Northern region of Brazil.-References:...
(guitar), Kinörn (drums) and Elísio Donas (keyboard) and only two albums, they quickly became a reference in Portuguese music of the end of the 1990s, though the most successful part of their career lasted for only three years, after which the group split.
History
In 1997, they composed Cão! (Dog!) their first album - which included the song Letra S, a duet with Manuela AzevedoManuela Azevedo
Manuela Azevedo is a Portuguese singer. A graduate in law at the University of Coimbra, she is now member of the Clã band, once integrated the Humanos band.Participation in other projects:*Ornatos Violeta -- «Líbido» e «Letra S»...
, the voice of Clã
Clã
Clã is a Portuguese pop-rock band of a mixed nature in terms of style, ranging from moments of pure balladry, through jazzy details, to enthusiastic pop songs. They are currently regarded as one of the best Portuguese bands...
(another successful Portuguese band) - an album where for the first time the group showed they were keen to explore a mixed sound, with Cruz's unique writing style, much to their fans', and most of the national musical reviewers', delight.
In the following year, during the Expo 98, they collaborated on the compilation Tejo Beat alongside Boss AC
Boss AC
Boss AC is a Portuguese rapper originally from Cape Verde. His albums include "Preto no Branco","Ritmo, Amor e Palavras" , "Rimar contra a Maré" and "TPC"....
, Blasted Mechanism
Blasted Mechanism
Blasted Mechanism is a Portuguese electro-rock band known for its highly theatrical live shows involving elaborated alien-themed costumes as a backdrop to their music....
, Zen
Zen (band)
Zen is a Dutch rock band, founded by Siegfried 'Siebe' de Jong and Dirk van der Ploeg in 1965. Van der Ploeg writes the lyrics, music and arrangements. The hippie-oriented one hit wonder band hits the top spot on the Dutch Top 40 singles chart in January 1969, with their version of the theme from...
and Flood with the song Tempo de Nascer.
Their last album, O Monstro Precisa de Amigos (The Monster Needs Friends), came out in 1999, with a more carefully thought production, and generally speaking, a less active and calmer style. The album contained the singles Ouvi Dizer, a duet with the older Portuguese musician Vitor Espadinha, and Capitão Romance, with Gordon Gano
Gordon Gano
Gordon James Gano is an American musician. He is best known for being the singer, guitarist and songwriter of American alternative rock band Violent Femmes.-Early life:...
, vocalist of the well-known Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes were an American alternative rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, initially active between 1980 and 1987 and again from 1988 to 2009...
. It was also during that year that they helped to produce XX Anos XX Bandas, a tribute to the Portuguese band Xutos e Pontapés, with a cover of Xutos' song Circo de Feras.
After some speculation about their future, Ornatos Violeta split in 2002. Fortunately for their fans, Pluto followed, a more traditional rock group, with Manel Cruz (vocals + rhythm guitar) and Peixe (lead guitar).
In 2009 one of the main radio stations in Portugal, Antena 3, celebrated 15 years choosing the best 15 albums of those years. O Monstro Precisa de Amigos came in 1st place.