Mama Kalunga – 2015
Mama Kalunga is Virgínia Rodrigues’s fifth album, with artistic direction by Tiganá Santana and musical production by Sebastian Notini. Loyal to her African roots, the repertoire features the work of black composers such as Abigail Moura, Geraldo Filme, Moacir Santos, Nei Lopes, Paulinho da Viola, Roberto Mendes and Tiganá Santana. The album was nominated for best album and Virgínia won the prize for Best Female Artist in the MPB category at the 27o Prêmio da Música Brasileira.
Recomeço – 2008
In 2008, Virgínia releases the album Recomeço, an album that endows a chamber music mood to Brazilian songbook classics. The arranger and pianist, Cristóvão Bastos, accompanies the artist. With irreprehensible, musical good taste, Virgínia provides a lavishly original interpretation of perennial classics of Brazilian music, interpreting works by Chico Buarque, Francis Hime, Edu Lobo e Tom Jobim.
Mares Profundos – 2004
Virgínia’s third CD, Mares Profundos, arrives at a time when she is a recognized success abroad. It is released, in the same year, in the United States and Europe, on the Edge label belonging to the German recording company, Deutsche Grammophon. The album’s artistic production is also by Caetano Veloso. The august repertoire is made up of 11 Afro-sambas, composed between 1962 and 1966, by the guitarist, Baden Powell and the poet, Vinícius de Morais.
Nós – 2000
In her second album, Nós, Virgínia pays homage to Salvador’s Afro blocks and Caetano Veloso provides artistic direction. Her exquisite, sophisticated voice interprets songs from Ilê Aiyê, Olodum, Timbalada, Ara Ketu and Afreketê. The New York Times calls her “one of the most impressive artists to have come out of Brazil in the last few years” and Stephan Cook, of the All Music Guide magazine, considers the album: “one of the most impressive international releases of the last few years”.
Sol Negro – 1997
SOL NEGRO, Virginia Rodrigues’s first album, produced by Celso Fonseca and with artistic direction by Caetano Veloso, featured participations by Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento and Djavan. The album was well received in the United States and Europe, with the artist receiving rave reviews: The Times of London wrote: “The new Diva of Brazilian Music, the 33-year old artist from Bahia, has stunned all of Brazil with her debut album Sol Negro; a rich mix of African and Portuguese influences with grass roots samba”.
