Djavan’s talent as a singer and songwriter is such that fans didn’t have long to wait for his first ‘best of’ collection. ‘Pétala’ came along merely five albums into his long career, and it was welcomed as a milestone of Brazilian pop.
It also happens to be a favorite of ours, not only because of the musical wealth found within these ten songs, but also for its superb song ordering. The playlist moves from strength to strength - as you’d expect for a ‘hits’ CD, - but also through the ebb and flow of the singer’s emotion, and that’s Djavan’s calling card.
Simply put Djavan’s music swings. Whether it be on eloquent ballads like ‘Esquinas’ or jazzy pop-driven melodies like ‘Lilás’ and ‘Flor De Liz’. There’s the power of ’Asa’ and playful fun with Stevie Wonder’s harmonica on ‘Samurai’.
Djavan has recorded dozens of hit song since this 1984 release, but no other ‘best of’ collection comes close to the magic of ‘Pétala’. In fact, there’s more than enough music here to satisfy any Brazilian fan. But it leaves us with only one question: Where’s ‘Pétala 2’?
