Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
from special correspondent
Panaji, Nov 6: Stepping into her elder brother’s shoes, Belinda, sister of internationally renowned pop singer Remo Fernandes, is ready with her maiden album "Festa Tropicana" to hit the stands next month.
"It’s a dream come true for me, especially because Remo has sung one of my own compositions in the album," Belinda, who was former French teacher in Goa university and later also handled assignment as director, Alliance Francaise, stated.
The album of academician-turned-musician is a Latin one featuring six of her favourite songs from Brasil, Cuba, Spain, Latin America. It will also feature two of her own compositions, "Lady Moon" and "Wanna Love You".
"Remo has sung the composition 'Lady Moon'," Belinda stated, adding that her maiden album would be released within a month.
Belinda, who is a small-time singer, is also planning her second album with her band "Belinda and the Tropicanos."
"I feel thrilled that my 'kid' sister is releasing an album, specially because she used to be so shy; she wouldn't sing even at family gatherings. She suddenly took to performing in public a couple of years ago, spurred and prodded by her husband Carmelino, and now one can't get her off the stage," Remo reacted.
"This first album is a definite landmark in her life," he said.
Belinda owes her musical achievements to Remo. "It was he who taught me to play flute and guitar when I was hardly ten year old," an emotional-sounding Belinda stated.
The music arrangements, programming and recording for the album - all this is done by Mukesh Ghatwal, who is Remo’s senior band member.
Remo has added live instruments such as guitars and flutes. He has sung lead vocals on one of her compositions, and background vocals on the others.
The album took shape right under the guidance of Remo in his own studio.
"What I'm enjoying a lot is doing the photography and designing the album cover. I might direct and produce her music video too," Remo added.
The brother singer stated that he fell in love with the song "Lady Moon". "I played it on West Virginia Radio in the US during an interview recently, and it received tremendous response. Listeners kept calling the station and asking for it to be played again on other programmes," the singer further said.
More on Belinda and the Tropicanos:
(Excerpted from website with special permission)
“Belinda & The Tropicanos” are multi-talented musicians who invade with a musical masala of Latin and Western music with a pinch of Indian Flavours. This spicy mix consists of Sambas, Bossanovas, Cha Chas, Salsas, and Mambos. Genres like Sega, Reggae, Blues, Rock n Roll, Folk and Indian/Carnatic Fusion music are also poured in from time to time. All this is tempered with voices in Brazilian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, English and Konkani. Original Compositions, Improvisations, Adaptations, and the Revival of old latin classics are the basic ingredients in this band.
Francisco, Mukesh, Belinda, Lester and Carmelino pose at the Crowne Plaza Today, Gurgaon
The Band with the ambassador of Brazil in India
The Opening Act for Remo and The Microwave Pappadums at Sweet Chilly
The Band prides itself in playing absolutely LIVE every time no matter what the occasion.
The Band comprises of Mukesh Ghatwal on Keyboards and Bass, Lester Rosario on the Drums, Francisco Lopes on Guitar, Carmelino Machado on Percussions and Belinda Fernandes on Vocals, Acoustic Guitar and Indian Flute.
In their short existence from March 2006 “Belinda & The Tropicanos” have performed at various venues in Goa such as Sweet Chilly, Bella Ciao at Calypso Hotel, Cavala etc, as a regular feature. Besides, they have also been invited to perform at a Jazz Festival at the Ana Fonte Garden in Margao in April 2006, at Clube Harmonia, Margao, at the Grape Escapade at the Inox Courtyard in Panjim in May 2006 and 2007 and the Summer Escapade, Calangute in 2007.
“Belinda & The Tropicanos” have been also been the opening and closing acts for all the performances of “REMO & the Microwave Pappadums” during the Christmas and New Year Season of 2006 -07 at Sweet Chilly.
Most recently, on June 22, 2007, “Belinda & The Tropicanos” performed with a 3 hour Brazilian repertoire for the opening of the first Brazilian Restaurant in India “Wildfire” at the Crowne Plaza Today, Gurgaon.
Remo in recent Daijiworld headlines:
Daijiworld exclusive: