Paulo Lira de Oliveira, aka Paulo Diniz (1940-2022) was a Pernambucan-born pop singer who moved from being a radio announcer into a career as a "teen" pop idol in the jovem guarda "ie-ie-ie" scene. His first singles came out in 1966, but his music quickly intensified as he moved into the budding Brazilian soul movement, and proved to be one of its best and most inventive pioneering artists. In the 'Seventies Diniz partnered with songwriter Odibar Moreira da Silva, recording dozens of songs they co-wrote as a team. Health problems apparently dogged at him, and by the 1980s he was partially paralyzed, though he did keep recording until mid-decade. Here's a quick look at his career...
Paulo Diniz "Brasil, Brasa, Braseiro" (Beverly/Copacabana, 1968) (LP)
The debut LP from songwriter/actor/drummer Paulo Diniz, who had recorded his first singles a couple of years earlier. This is funky, soulful pop, loosely in the jovem guarda style, but with a hard edge and a measure of grit that isn't often heard within the teenybopper JG canon... Some of this is relatively slight material, but there is an underlying solidity to this album that belies the conventional, romantic pop songs and undisciplined soul wailing that Diniz tilted towards. Indeed, compared to better-known Brazilian soul singers such as Tim Maia and Cassiano, Diniz is a much more skillful and varied performer. This disc only hints at his depths (check out his next record, Quero Voltar Pra Bahia...) but it's still a cut or two above many Brazilian pop-rock albums of the era. Worth checking out.
Paulo Diniz "Quero Voltar Pra Bahia" (EMI-Odeon, 1969) (LP)
Wow. Who knew? This is a surprisingly, thrillingly funky album, with an unusually accomplished psychedelic sound... quite a leap from his demure jovem guarda origins! Even on the slightest, poppiest tunes, Diniz has a fat, full sound backing him up, a rich funk-rock mix that recalls the best early work by Jorge Ben and Gilberto Gil. The title track is a pretty dumb, fluffy tune, sung in English, and has been covered by several artists over the years; this version is the original, sung by the composer. But the real eye openers on this album are his cover of Lupicino Rodrigues' old samba, "Felicidade," sung here as sort of an acid-soul roda de samba, with an out-of-control female chorus and a heavy, heavy backbeat underneath the vocal refrain. This is followed by a sizzling funk number, "Marginal III," with slinky guitar riffs worthy of Ben's best work. Diniz's vocals have their ups and downs -- I'm not fond of the uncontrolled, growling "soul" school of Tim Maia and Eduardo Arajao, which is where Diniz seems to have thrown his hat, but for the most part he sounds pretty groovy, coasting atop some of the best, fullest acid-pop arrangements I've heard on a Brazilian record of this era. This is a hidden nugget... Definitely recommended!
Paulo Diniz "Paulo Diniz" (Odeon, 1971) (LP)
(Produced by Milton Miranda & Lindolfo Gaya)
All but three of the songs on this album are collaborations with songwriter Odibar Moreira da Silva, who worked under the mononym Odibar. The exceptions include a cover of the Luiz Gonzaga/Humberto Teixeira forro classic "Asa Branca," and a newer song from Mauro Assumpcao. This includes the original version of Paulo Diniz's biggest hit, the sunny pop tune "Pingos De Amor," which became a Brazilian rock standard, later covered by Kid Abelha and others.
Paulo Diniz "Paulo Diniz" (Odeon, 1972) (LP)
(Produced by Milton Miranda & Lindolfo Gaya)
I frequently see this album listed under the title ...E Agora Jose, but it's not clear why. It's a actually a self-titled set (with one song by Diniz titled simply "Jose") but no hint anywhere of the "E Agora," which may be a "white album" -style pop culture nickname. Anyway, I'm calling it Paul Diniz, because that's what the album art says. It's another groovy set made with Odibar, with almost all the songs their collaborations; the exceptions include a Luiz Vagner song, and a version of a Mineiro folk tune called "Chora Morena."
Paulo Diniz "Paulo Diniz" (Odeon, 1974) (LP)
Paulo Diniz "Estradas" (Odeon, 1976) (LP)
Paulo Diniz "E Marca Ferrada" (Odeon, 1978) (LP)
Paulo Diniz "Cancao Do Ex’lio" (Lanca, 1984)
Paulo Diniz "Serie Bis" (EMI, 2000)
A best-of collection...
Paulo Diniz "20 Super Sucessos" (Sony-Polydisc, 2002)
Yeesh. Tepid, dispiriting re-recordings of some old brega ("tacky") pop songs. Diniz sounds very old and tired on these recordings; the musical accompaniment is fairly uninspired. Look for the 1970s originals instead, if you must.
Paulo Diniz & Juliana Diniz "Serie Identidade" (EMI, 2002)
Paulo Diniz "Colecao Talento" (EMI, 2004)
