Ornatos Violeta

Ornatos Violeta
Origin	Porto, Portugal
Genres	Alternative rock Funk Jazz Ska
Years active	1991–2002
Associated acts	Pluto, SuperNada
Past members
Manel Cruz Nuno Prata Kinörn Elísio Donas

Ornatos Violeta were a Portuguese alternative rock group whose music included some other influences, such as funk, jazz and ska. The band was formed in the city of Porto.

With Manel Cruz (voices), Nuno Prata (bass), Peixe (guitar), Kinörn (drums) and Elísio Donas (keyboard) and only two albums, they quickly became a reference in Portuguese music of the end of the 1990s, though the most successful part of their career lasted for only three years, after which the group split.

History

In 1997, they composed Cão! (Dog!) their first album - which included the song Letra S, a duet with Manuela Azevedo, the voice of Clã (another successful Portuguese band) - an album where for the first time the group showed they were keen to explore a mixed sound, with Cruz's unique writing style, much to their fans', and most of the national musical reviewers', delight. In the following year, during the Expo 98, they collaborated on the compilation Tejo Beat alongside Boss AC, Blasted Mechanism, Zen and Flood with the song Tempo de Nascer.

Their last album, O Monstro Precisa de Amigos (The Monster Needs Friends), came out in 1999, with a more carefully thought production, and generally speaking, a less active and calmer style. The album contained the singles Ouvi Dizer, a duet with the older Portuguese musician Vitor Espadinha, and Capitão Romance, with Gordon Gano, vocalist of the well-known Violent Femmes. It was also during that year that they helped to produce XX Anos XX Bandas, a tribute to the Portuguese band Xutos e Pontapés, with a cover of Xutos' song Circo de Feras.

After some speculation about their future, Ornatos Violeta split in 2002. Fortunately for their fans, Pluto followed, a more traditional rock group, with Manel Cruz (vocals + rhythm guitar) and Peixe (lead guitar).

In 2009 one of the main radio stations in Portugal, Antena 3, celebrated 15 years choosing the best 15 albums of those years. O Monstro Precisa de Amigos came in 1st place.

Discography

• 1997 - Cão!
• 1999 - O Monstro Precisa de Amigos

External links

• Ornatos Violeta Website