Brazilian singer, composer and guitarist Cleber Augusto lost his voice to throat cancer 21 years ago, but thanks to AI, he\u2019s got a new album out.<\/p>\n
Warner Music Brazil<\/strong> released the deluxe edition of Augusto\u2019s album Minhas Andan\u00e7as<\/em> on Wednesday (May 21), a feat that wouldn\u2019t have been possible without the aid of generative AI.<\/p>\n To make it happen, the label collaborated with a number of samba artists, including Alexandre Marmita<\/strong>, a singer, composer, cavaquinho player and member of the famous Samba do Trabalhador \u2013 a samba circle that takes place every Monday at the Renascen\u00e7a club in Rio de Janeiro.<\/p>\n Marmita was chosen to be a \u201cvoice donor\u201d for the album, chosen for the similarity of the tone of his voice to Augusto\u2019s, and for his familiarity with Augusto\u2019s work. Producers Alessandro Cardozo<\/strong> and Tony Vieira<\/strong> used AI tools to combine recordings of Augusto\u2019s voice with Marmita\u2019s vocals to create the new album.<\/p>\n The result was Minhas Andan\u00e7as<\/em>, which was released last month, ahead of this week\u2019s unveiling of the deluxe edition. Along with re-recordings of classic tracks, the album features four previously unreleased tracks, including Im\u00e3<\/em>, which was composed more than 20 years ago and rescued from one of Augusto\u2019s old tapes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe voice is the soul of music, and AI allowed me to maintain the essence of my interpretation, even with technology.\u00a0 The end result is amazing,\u201d Augusto said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe voice is the soul of music, and AI allowed me to maintain the essence of my interpretation… The end result is amazing.”<\/p>\n Cleber Augusto<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n According to an article<\/a> earlier this year at the Brazilian edition of Billboard<\/em>, the project was Tony Vieira\u2019s brainchild. Vieira serves A&R Manager at Warner Music Brazil.<\/p>\n “Technology, when used with respect and purpose, can be a great ally of art,\u201d Vieira said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis project does not replace Cleber’s genius, but it allows his voice and his story to live on.\u00a0 It is a way to celebrate his legacy and show the world the importance of his work.”<\/p>\n Marmita added: “It was an immense honor to participate in this project and lend my voice to help technology bring back the singing of a master like Cleber. He is a reference for me and for many samba singers. Knowing that my tone served as the basis for this recreation is something that moves me deeply.”<\/p>\n Along with Marmita, the album features the talents of a number of samba artists, including Diogo Nogueira<\/strong>, Ferrugem<\/strong>, Marvvila<\/strong>, Menos \u00e9 Mais<\/strong>, Mumuzinho<\/strong>, Pretinho da Serrinha<\/strong>, Roberta S\u00e1<\/strong>, Seu Jorge<\/strong>, Sorriso Maroto<\/strong>, Ti\u00ea<\/strong>, Xande de Pilares<\/strong>, Yan<\/strong>, and Zeca Pagodinho<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t the first time that AI has been used to overcome a disability that prevented a prominent artist from continuing their career.<\/p>\n “This project does not replace Cleber’s genius, but it allows his voice and his story to live on.”<\/p>\n Tony Vieira, Warner Music Brazil<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Last year, Warner Music Nashville<\/strong> released<\/a> Where That Came From<\/em>, the first track in over a decade from country star Randy Travis<\/strong>, who has suffered from limited speech since suffering a stroke.<\/p>\n In other instances, AI has been able to recreate music that would otherwise have been lost to history.<\/p>\n