A Phantasy Guide to the Eternal Music of Arthur Verocai
Photo by Fernando Bergamaschi
Words by Katherine Elliott
On a pontoon floating on Hinksey Lake, I once told a stranger to listen to Arthur Verocai with noise cancelling headphones in a dark room. This was perhaps a little intense for a July afternoon, but needs must.
Turns out, I’m not the only Verocai enthusiast to be let loose on the general public. Madlib stated that he could listen to the composer’s seminal 1972 album “everyday for the rest of my life”. Harmonic 313 said that “When I listen to Arthur’s music it makes me glad to feel alive. It doesn’t get any better than this”. 9th Wonder argued that “Arthur Verocai is living proof that soul transcends generations, races, and creeds. If you are a producer and don’t know who this guy is, then you don’t know soul music at its best. Welcome to Brazilian soul. Meet Arthur Verocai”. DJ Nuts stated that “Em 1972 falaram que ele estava maluco… sua música é agora [In 1972, they said he was crazy… his music is of the now]”.
With musical influences ranging from Bach, Frank Zappa and Antônio Carlos Jobim, Verocai began his career as a composer and arranger for a catalogue of Brazilian greats. He has credits on, to name just a few, Ivan Lins’ Modo Livre, Tim Maia’s self-titled 1976 album, Gal Costa’s Índia, Luiz Melodia’s Pérola Negra and Erasmo Carlos’ Carlos, ERASMO… Although formally trained as a civil engineer and building his early career in service of other musicians, it is Verocai’s eponymous 1972 album that has earned him global renown.
Composed and recorded in the midst of Brazil’s brutal military dictatorship, the album touches upon motifs of lost love, ancient mythology and the arid landscape of the sertão. Surreal metaphor alludes to the ever-present military censor with a string arrangement that transports listeners to another astral plane. For reference, his 2025 concert at London’s Barbican Centre featured more shouts of “Salve maestro” than I can count. Half-evangelical, half-stan, his music continues to inspire audiences today.
Sylvia by Arthur Verocai
Track three on his 1972 album, Sylvia is instrumental (forgive the pun). Nothing matches the strings vibrato one minute in.
Dedicada a ela by Arthur Verocai
The fifth track from his self-titled album, Dedicada a ela, or “Dedicated to her”, recounts the multiple ways in which the singer hopes to rid their thoughts of a lost love. Waking up in an empty bed, putting on a record, reading a book and going out to meet friends? Sounds like a typical Sunday.
Seriado by Arthur Verocai
Seriado is a television series or, more broadly, serialised content. Célia lends her vocals to this track. With mentions of crime and passion, this song more than lives up to the melodrama of its title.
Na boca do sol by Arthur Verocai
Na boca do sol, or “in the sun’s mouth”, opens with a brass section that can only be described as euphoric accompanied by lyrics from Vitor Martins that seem almost Dadaist. This track was later sampled by Ludacris, alongside Common and Spike Lee, in Do the Right Thang.
O mapa by Arthur Verocai
O mapa catalogues the aimlessness of uncertainty. Wistful vocals question ‘what kind of map are my feet?’ With allusions to daydreams and seemingly endless bills, this perfectly captures what it means to be lost.
Abre Alas by Ivan Lins
Verocai’s work as a composer and arranger is wonderfully illustrated in MPB (música popular brasileira) icon Ivan Lins’ 1974 song Abre Alas. Released in the wake of Arthur Verocai’s self-titled 1972 album, hints of his otherworldly arrangements shine through.
We Got Now by Little Brother feat. Chaundon
Released on North Carolina group Little Brother’s 2005 album The Minstrel Show, We Got Now translates choral backing vocals into hip-hop gold.
Passion Flower by MF DOOM
Passion Flower is featured on legendary rapper and producer MF Doom’s Special Herbs box set. Taking snippets of arrangements from Seriado, this track is a head bopping thing of beauty.
Get Sun by Hiatus Kaiyote feat. Arthur Verocai
Get Sun is one of many late career collaborations for Verocai. In fact, Hiatus Kaiyote engineered the Brazilian leg of their 2019 tour in order to work with the cult musician. Clearly, it was worth it.
Se Eu For Falar De Amor by Rogê
Released on the critically acclaimed 2023 album of samba singer-songwriter Rogê, Se Eu For Falar De Amor is a crooning love song. Curyman producer, Tom Brenneck stated that "When Verocai was putting strings on [Se Eu For Falar De Amor] I felt like that was perhaps the greatest achievement I might ever fucking do."
