The ones who have seen the work and history of Kiko Loureiro know that he is one of most important rock guitarist from Brazil and also internationally known. His musical roots go beyond the power chords and the distortion. Brazilian music, Latin music, Jazz and classic music have always been in his trajectory and a little sample of it was shown in “No Gravity”, the first Kiko Loureiro’s solo album released in the beginning of 2005. There were spread on this instrumental work, many references of this immense background, but totally surrounded by the mood and the heavy of rock which consecrate the guitarist.

Now, things are clearer and evident. We can say even wide open. Together with a trio headed by the pianist and composer Yaniel Matos, Kiko is publishing his second solo album, the Brazilian “UniversoInverso”, an album once again instrumental and that pays homage to the Brazilian musical roots. ”I have always believed that music is something unique and divide it into styles makes us  lose its size and the big contribution that it gives us to live better”, this is the way he defines his art. This is the most complete expression of this thought that appears in “UniversoInverso”.

Playing with Yaniel, Cuca Teixeria (Maria Rita’s drummer) Carlinhos Noronha (bass player for Demônios da Garoa), and the percussionist Maurício Alves (Mestre Ambrósio) as a guest musician, Kiko surprises us with a music at the same time simple and sophisticated. Recorded in just 3 days, “UniversoInverso” has 6 songs written by Kiko, and 4 written by Yaniel and it is a mix of Brazilian rhythms, Latin and jazz with a bit of rock that challenges any kind of label – some people calls this “MIB”, (música instrumental brasileira - Brazilian instrumental music), but all over the world it’s about something special from Brazil. Here you can listen to samba (Yes, Kiko playing samba!), baião, jazz, buleria (Spanish rhythm often used on flamenco music) and up to Brazilian waltz, always with that unique interpretation which only a rock guitarist can impose, even playing in an instrument without effects and distortions.

Kiko says that the album is going to work as “ UniversoInverso”(universe inverted) for a rocker  maybe, but a universe made to show the interaction of the free spirit of jazz, Cuba, Brazil , modern and rock” and also, to show at all the musical universe which has made Kiko Loureiro one of the most complete musicians ever.

Antonio Carlos Monteiro