When it comes to unleashing the cultural and sonic clashes between the streets of Rio and New York, no artist has been more proficient than songwriter/producer/guitarist Arto Lindsay. On Salt, his sixth solo album and third on Righteous Babe Records, Lindsay continues to offer an uncanny meld of earthy Bahian grooves and in-your-face electronic textures, exploring the outskirts of both forms and returning with some fantastic melodies.
Taking inspiration from Carnaval, Brazil's yearly celebration of the tawdry and sinful, Salt is both musical celebration and lyrical steam bath. From the opening "Habite Em Mim" (translated "Inhabit Me") to the closing title track (which contains the lines "She covers herself in honey/Stretches but won't succumb"), this is a visceral, sexually-charged piece of work.
Produced by the usual team of bassist Melvin Gibbs, electronic wizards Kassin and Berna Ceppas, and Lindsay, Salt contains an intoxicating blend of harmony and instrumentation. "Into Shade" may be the richest, most elegant song in Lindsay's catalog, full of lush string arrangements and guitar flutters. "Habite Em Mim" and "Personagem" will likely be mined by hip-hop producers for their stark, throbbing beats. "Kamo (Dark Stripe)" is a sleepy, undulating mix of multi-cultural pop. As usual, Lindsay's voice is soft and seductive, beckoning listeners in both English and Portuguese, with little more than a reedy whisper.
It's altogether fitting that Arto Lindsay has titled his record after one of the most basic and organic substances in Mother Nature's spice rack. Salt is a wild and surprising ingredient, examining the mysticism of human desire without ever losing sight of the hook. Add a pinch to your daily listening; your senses will be thankful.
