by Alvaro Neder

In his last CD before his death, Tim Maia, a cherished soul singer in Brazil for several decades, delivers his personal style surrounded by the always competent, if a little soulless, arrangements by Lincoln Olivetti. Maia revisits here, with his warm and powerful baritone tone, some of his all-time hits, like "Me dê Motivo," the wonderful "Primavera," "Gostava Tanto de Você," the danceable "Vale Tudo," and "Lingo Lago Do Amor." This also covers Djavan's hits "Oceano" and "Saigon" and other songs, including a disappointing bet in the brega, "Sozinho," also a megahit in Caetano Veloso's voice. It is not a Brazilian music album -- even if the rhythm and melody of "O Adeus de Quem Tanto Amei" are clearly inspired in baião, the pop arrangements by Lincoln took charge of it -- but it certainly appeals to Maia's broad fan base and soul music lovers.