Manno Montanna formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1977, with brothers Mário and Manoel Montanna and their cousin Luiz Carlos Batera. They released their self-titled debut album in 1983, which included the song "Cara a Cara." That track became their most recognizable work, reaching the top of Brazilian charts.
Their music drew from Brazilian bossa nova, American pop, and European folk, with vocal harmonies that sometimes brought to mind groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash. They recorded with Brazilian singer Maria Bethânia and cellist Jaques Morelenbaum. Albums like "Bem Querer" (1984), "Tempo" (1986), and "Plural" (1989) followed.
Some critics found their sound overly sentimental, but "Cara a Cara" remained a staple in Brazilian popular music. The band's lineup stayed consistent with the three founding members handling vocals, keyboards, guitars, and percussion.
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