Imaginários

Imaginários formed in Rio de Janeiro with a lineup that included Sérgio Britto on lead vocals and guitar, Marcus Vinícius on vocals and percussion, Fernando Anitelli on bass, Pedro Luís on flute and sax, Rômulo Fróes on guitar, and Rafael dos Santos on drums. Their music draws from Brazilian traditions like samba, bossa nova, and MPB, but with a contemporary feel that avoids sounding like a museum piece.

Their first album, "Carta Ao Cartola," came out in 2000 and got good reviews from critics, though it didn't sell particularly well. The band kept touring and building an audience over the next few years. In 2006 they released "Ao Vivo," a live album that captured their stage energy and became both a critical and commercial success.

Some listeners have questioned whether Imaginários' approach to Brazilian music traditions leans too commercial, but their work has maintained a following that appreciates how they handle those influences without simply reproducing older styles.