The members of the group included José Roberto Bertrami (born February 21, 1946, in Tatui; died July 8, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro) on acoustic piano and keyboards, Alex Malheiros (born August 19, 1946, in Niteroi) on bass, and Ivan Conti (born August 16, 1946, in Rio de Janeiro) on drums.
Classically trained and originally influenced by pianists Bill Evans and Luíz Eça (of the Tamba 4), Bertrami worked with Flora Purim and Robertinho Silva before meeting Conti at a Rio nightclub. Upon a visit to a bowling alley/club in 1972, they heard Malheiros and decided to join forces to form Azymuth. Their first album, the soundtrack for the film O Fabuloso Fittipaldi, was released in Brazil in 1973.
After spending a number of years as session men in Rio recording studios and touring South America, a successful appearance at the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival led to a 1978 U.S. tour with Airto and Purim. A contract with Milestone in 1979 resulted in a long string of eclectic and influential albums that established the group in the American and European markets. All three members also recorded solo albums for Milestone.
Bertrami left the group around 1988, after which Malheiros and Conti carried on for a while with keyboardist Jota Moraes. In the '90s, Bertrami rejoined Azymuth permanently. They signed to Far Out Recordings and issued a long string of albums including Carnival, 1997; Woodland Warrior, 1998; Pieces of Ipanema, 1999; Before We Forget, 2000; and Partido Novo, 2002.
In 2007, their self-titled debut album was reissued by the label in a deluxe package. It was completely remastered, and contained an additional disc of remixes by some of the world's best-known dance music producers. In 2008, Azymuth continued their tireless display of creativity with the universally acclaimed Butterfly, which they followed with Aurora in 2011.
Sadly, José Roberto Bertrami died in Rio during July of the following year; he was 66 years old.
Villa Mariana
Azymuth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Santana and the G&B,
It′s The Product of get-away blues from the refugee camp
Oh, Maria, Maria
She reminds me of a west side story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
She fell in love in East L.A
To the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana
Stop the looting, stop the shooting
Pick pocking on the corner
See as the rich is getting richer
The poor is getting poorer
Se mira Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better
In my mailbox, there′s an eviction letter
Signed by the judge, said see you later
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (East Coast)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (West Coast)
Oh, Maria, Maria
She reminds me of a west side story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria
She fell in love in East L.A
To the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana
I said a la favella los colores
The streets are getting hotter
There is no water to put out the fire
Ni gota de esperanza
Se mira Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better
Then I looked up in the sky
Hoping of days of paradise
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (North side)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (South side)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (Worldwide)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (Open up your eyes)
Maria, you know you're my lover
When the wind blows, I can feel you
Through the weather and even when we′re apart
It feels like we′re together
Maria, yeah
She reminds me of a west side story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Maria, Maria
Oh, she fell in love in East L.A
To the sounds of the guitar
Played by Carlos Santana
The song "Maria Maria" by Carlos Santana is a tribute to the struggles of a woman named Maria who grew up in Spanish Harlem and fell in love in East LA. The song speaks of the hardships she faced and the ways in which she hoped to make her life better. The lyrics are a commentary on the reality of the poor getting poorer while the rich get richer. The song also references the refugee camp and the challenges that come with being a refugee.
The lyrics tell a story of a woman who is trying to make a better life for herself amidst the struggles of poverty and inequality. She is a reminder of the struggles of those who live in underprivileged neighborhoods and the harsh realities of their lives. The song also emphasizes the power of music, as Maria fell in love to the sound of Carlos Santana's guitar. The lyrics celebrate the life of Maria and the importance of holding onto hope and finding strength amidst adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gents, turn up your sound systems to the sound of Carlos Santana and the G&B,
Introducing Carlos Santana and the G&B to the crowds, urging them to elevate the volume of their audio systems to maximum levels
It's The Product of get-away blues from the refugee camp
The song reflects the pain felt by a refugee after being forced to flee from their home and the struggles they still face
Oh, Maria, Maria
Addressing Maria, the singer of the song
She reminds me of a west side story
Maria resembles a character from the classic movie, West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
Maria had her roots in the bustling neighborhood of Spanish Harlem in New York City
She's living the life just like a movie star
Maria's lifestyle bestowed upon her the trappings of stardom
She fell in love in East L.A
Maria fell in love while residing/visiting the East side of Los Angeles
To the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
The guitar music, likely played by Carlos Santana, set the romantic ambience for Maria and her lover
Stop the looting, stop the shooting
Promoting anti-violence and anti-looting messages
Pick pocking on the corner
Street theft and robbery at local corners
See as the rich is getting richer
Observation of increasing wealth disparities among the rich and poor in the society
The poor is getting poorer
Recognition of worsening financial situations of the poor people in the society
Se mira Maria on the corner
Maria looks around the corner, reflecting on her surroundings
Thinking of ways to make it better
Maria is pondering upon solutions that can enhance the current situations
In my mailbox, there’s an eviction letter
Maria has received a notice of eviction in her mailbox
Signed by the judge, said see you later
Maria has to move out since the judge has issued an eviction order
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
I'm coming now, mama chula, mama chula (a Spanish colloquialism for a charming/attractive lady)
She's living the life just like a movie star
Re-acknowledgement of Maria's glamorous lifestyle and her resemblance with movie stars
I said a la favella los colores
Colors of the favela (Brazilian slum)
The streets are getting hotter
Streets are becoming more dangerous and volatile
There is no water to put out the fire
Metaphorically, there are no resources available to extinguish the issues escalating in society
Ni gota de esperanza
No hope whatsoever
Then I looked up in the sky
Maria looks towards the sky
Hoping of days of paradise
Maria is yearning for a better world, a better life
Maria, you know you're my lover
Addressing Maria's affection as his lover
When the wind blows, I can feel you
Suggesting an inexplicable and otherworldly connection with Maria
Through the weather and even when we're apart
Their bond remains unbreakable, irrespective of the distance between them
South side
The southern part
North side
The northern part
Worldwide
All over the world
Open up your eyes
Advice to the audience, to become more aware of the social realities around them.
Writer(s): A. Malheiros, I. Conti, K. Continentino
Contributed by Jason G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnwhitehead9286
Been listening to these guys for over 10 years. So good!
@patrickproost5707
just wait untill you get to know them !! They are soooo much more than what they put down in music, obvious where it all comes from...
@jazzbass5479
Been listening to this band since 1984. Alex Malheiro's Bass grooves are the essence of life.
@paulrouhan7288
I love walking round Vila Mariana, in São Paulo...
@eduardovargas8553
Este album magnifica el sentido de mi existencia en éste mundo, gracias Azimuth desde México.
@gordonorante509
Killer tune!!!
@DenisPaschoalinoto
That Bertrami´s psychedelic keyboards push us up to the cosmos!!
@Eduardvi-kx3rh
This gives me deep Gran Turismo Vibes
@fabiomonteirodasilva2151
Lendária banda brasileira de smooth jazz. Eternos Bertrami,Malheiros e Ivan Conti. Só rola sonzeira; é uma viajem atrás da outra!!
@pliniojunior9208
Conhecia alguns singles mais antigos e fiquei de cara quando descobri que era brasileira.