Alexandre Marmita (left) and Cleber Augusto in the studio. Photo Credit: Warner Music
Decades after losing his voice to throat cancer, samba artist Cleber Augusto has harnessed AI to create a project entitled Minhas Andanças (My Wanderings).
Rio de Janeiro-born Cleber Augusto technically released that album in late April. But a 14-track deluxe version, including four additional songs, only dropped via Warner Music Brazil today.
According to the same label, 74-year-old Augusto has suffered from “a complete loss of voice” since undergoing a throat operation in 2004. However, the former Fundo de Quintal member is still active and performing as an instrumentalist, numerous social posts show.
And evidently, Augusto remains interested in putting out music. As described by Warner Music Brazil, a variety of samba artists, including but definitely not limited to Diogo Nogueira, Ferrugem, Marvvila, and Menos é Mais, contributed to Minhas Andanças in one way or another.
But it was Alexandre Marmita, said to share Augusto’s vocal tone, who acted as the chief “voice donor” here, per the major. That refers specifically to providing interpretations of songs in Augusto’s style.
From there, AI “enhanced” these interpretations before bringing a depiction (trained on prior recordings, of course) of Augusto’s voice into the fold, Warner Music Brazil relayed. All told, Minhas Andanças features 13 re-recordings of existing tracks and one completely new effort.
The latter, entitled “Imã,” was originally captured “more than 20 years ago and rescued from one of Cleber’s old tapes,” with vocalist Péricles featured, per Warner Music Brazil.
“The voice is the soul of music,” Cleber Augusto added, “and AI allowed me to maintain the essence of my interpretation, even with technology. The end result is amazing. The emotion and message of the songs remain intact, and that is what really matters. I thank Warner Music and everyone involved who made this project possible.”
And in remarks of his own, Warner Music Brazil A&R manager Tony Vieira touted the AI-powered album and the tech behind it.
“Technology, when used with respect and purpose, can be a great ally of art,” the former Som Livre higher-up indicated. “This project does not replace Cleber’s genius, but it allows his voice and his story to live on. It is a way to celebrate his legacy and show the world the importance of his work.”
It’s now been a year and change since Randy Travis utilized artificial intelligence to release his “first new music in more than a decade.” At the time, he and Warner Music confirmed plans for additional AI works.
Meanwhile, quite possibly in a harbinger of things to come, the major hasn’t hesitated to tee up AI films and music involving artists who are no longer living.
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