album rating: ★★★★★
Genre: MPB / samba / bossa nova / Brazilian jazz / balada. De Um Jeito Diferente ('In a Different Way') is widely considered the finest album of the mature period of Emílio Santiago (born Emílio Vitalino Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, 1946 – 2013), the carioca singer whose elegant baritone, jazz-inflected phrasing and refined musical sensibility made him one of the most beloved MPB vocalists of his generation. Santiago had emerged in the mid-1970s with his interpretations of forgotten Brazilian songs by composers including Ivan Lins, João Donato, Jorge Ben Jor and Marcos Valle. He became particularly associated with the Aquarela Brasileira series, which brought him renewed visibility from the late 1980s onward. De Um Jeito Diferente, produced by guitarist Ricardo Silveira for WEA Brasil, represents Santiago at his most intimate and accomplished — a collection of songs from the Brazilian songbook that balances standards and lesser-known gems. The repertoire draws on Marcos Valle, Carlos Lyra, Tom Jobim and João Donato. Guest performers include Mart'nalia (the duet 'Não Me Balança Mais'), Nana Caymmi (on 'Olhos Negros'), and João Donato himself, who co-produced the title track 'De Um Jeito Diferente (Ivone)'. The album also includes a reading of Victor Young's 'My Foolish Heart' and the Spanish-language 'Desilusión'. Connect Brazil called it 'Emílio Santiago's greatest album', comparing his voice and sensibility to that of Dick Farney and Frank Sinatra.
Label: WEA Brasil (Warner Music Brazil), 2007.
Producer: Ricardo Silveira (guitarist and producer). Note: João Donato co-produced the title track.
Recording studio: Not individually specified in publicly available sources; recorded in Brazil.
Critical reception: De Um Jeito Diferente was received with considerable critical enthusiasm, both in Brazil and internationally. Connect Brazil described it as the work of 'a singer at the top of his game' and argued it represents 'Emílio Santiago's greatest album.' Rate Your Music users give it a score of 4.25 out of 5 — the highest-rated album in his catalogue. A reviewer on Rate Your Music called him 'one of the greatest crooners alive, not just in Brazil', with 'a soft, suave and mellow baritone with a sensitivity for jazz phrasings, in that aspect a bit reminiscent of that other great Brazilian singer, Johnny Alf.'
Commercial success: De Um Jeito Diferente was a solid commercial and critical success in Brazil, reinforcing Santiago's status as one of the great interpreters of the Brazilian songbook. It sold well to Santiago's established audience of MPB lovers and received radio attention in Brazil and abroad. Emílio Santiago continued recording until close to his death in March 2013. His last album was O Melhor das Aquarelas ao Vivo. He died of complications following a stroke at the age of 66.
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