Chameleon (Badi Assad album)

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Chameleon (Badi Assad album)

Chameleon is a studio album by Brazilian musician Badi Assad, released in 1998. It features songs sung in Portuguese and English and blends pop, jazz, and Brazilian influences. The album was an international success.

Production
- Assad helped produce parts of the record.
- Jeff Young played guitar and Viviana Guzmán played flute.
- Lee Ritenour produced the track Waves.
- Ponta de Areia is a cover of a Milton Nascimento song.
- The album includes a cover of George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
- Assad used a variety of percussion, including llama hooves, to create its distinctive sound.

Critical reception
- AllMusic praised the album for its delicate vocals and flamenco-flavored guitar, giving it high marks.
- The Vancouver Sun highlighted Assad’s inventive blend of languages, styles, and moods.
- The Herald noted that while the album isn’t perfectly consistent, Assad’s creativity and mood set the stage for future work.
- The Toronto Star described the music as a cheerful mix of pop, flamenco, and neo-jazz.
- The Evening Post offered a more mixed view, suggesting the blend of sounds could feel overstuffed at times.
- MusicHound World rated it highly, calling it a strong example of Assad’s artistry.

Track listing
1. Rhythms of the World
2. Butterfly
3. Waves
4. Ai Que Saudade d'ocê
5. Naked
6. Naio Naio
7. Rain Trance
8. Waterfall
9. Dolphins in the Blue Mist
10. Ponta de Areia
11. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
12. Flowing ... into Formlessness

Chameleon helped establish Badi Assad’s international profile, showcasing her expressive vocals, intricate guitar work, and willingness to experiment with different genres and sounds.