Q&A: Marisa Monte on her first solo album in 10 years

It took Marisa Monte 10 years to release a solo album, but the four-time Grammy winner never abandoned music

NEW YORK -- It took Marisa Monte 10 years to release a solo album, but the four-time Grammy winner never abandoned music. Far from being away, the Brazilian singer-songwriter remained extra busy over the last decade with projects including Tribalistas — her group with Arnaldo Antunes and Carlinhos Brown — as well as producing for other artists and touring, until the pandemic hit. Last week she released “Portas,” a 16-songs effort that follows 2011’s “O Que Você Quer Saber De Verdade” and includes the single “Calma,” which she co-wrote with Chico Brown. It opens with the song that gives the album its name and closes with the uplifting “Pra Melhorar” featuring Seu Jorge and his teenage daughter, Flor de Maria. “Portas” — which means doors in Portuguese — seems like an appropriate title for the times.