Luiz Dimas

Luiz Dimas started performing in Rio de Janeiro clubs when he was 16, though he'd originally thought about becoming a doctor. His first album came out in 1968, and the track 'Champagne Problems' from it caught on quickly. That raspy but tender voice of his seemed to connect with people right away.

He kept recording through the 1970s, putting out albums like 'A Gente Se Dá Bem' in 1970, 'Aquela' in 1973, and 'Alguém Me Disse' in 1977. The songs often dealt with love and loss, straightforward stuff that didn't need much dressing up. He worked with Roberto Carlos on some of those records, and had a regular backing band called Os Universitários for his shows.

There were some rough patches later on, including legal trouble in the 1990s. But the music from those early years, songs like 'Chopard' and 'Flames,' still gets played. It's simple, direct Brazilian pop that doesn't try too hard to be anything else.