Based out of Portugal, the trendsetting phenom HUGEL positioned himself at the precipice of the Latin house movement before it started becoming fashionable. On his first appearance with Insomniac, he turns his sights to a now-beloved Brazilian composition by Geraldo Vandré from the ‘60s, which was originally banned from the country due to its perceived politically charged message by a government overrun by the military. The song has since become a national treasure for the people, symbolizing hope in the face of civil unrest. It eventually took on a new shape fit for house enthusiasts with a four-on-the-floor reprisal many moons ago. Now, HUGEL and Italy’s Jude & Frank—also referred to as Jude Love—are doing the historic hymn justice with their vibrant reimagining.
Revolving around the poetic and profound lyrics, “Pra Nao Dizer” is a brilliant percussive roller that weaves itself around radiant tribal drum patterns. Sung in the song’s native Portuguese tongue, the allegorical whispers float on the top of the groove with unparalleled grace. Around the halfway mark, the layers are pulled back completely, allowing the chanting voices of the village to bleed in with the striking classical guitar during a breathtaking breakdown before the gyrating rhythm rolls back in for a momentous resolution.
“This song was an Ibiza classic 10 years ago,” says HUGEL. “I wanted a fresh version for my DJ sets because this song creates an emotional moment, especially as a closing track. Jude & Frank joined me on the idea of refreshing this one and here we are.”
On the backside, HUGEL offers a second translation of the piece with a special 6AM edit. On it, he employs a deep and equally arresting tech house framework to relay the song’s legacy to late-night fare.
“The 6AM edit is almost techno and I can’t wait to play it this summer in Ibiza,” he adds. “It’s also my debut with Insomniac and since it is one of my favorite countries to perform in, I’m very excited about this collaboration.”
Originally from Marseille, the France native fell head over heels for Spanish culture during his days spent in Ibiza holding residencies at Pacha and Ushuaia. His affinity for Latin music has since flourished into a career touting multiple Gold and Platinum awards. One of his most impactful releases to date is his massive record “Morenita,” which has garnered support from industry leaders from the likes of Vintage Culture, Diplo, John Summit, FISHER and many more. His newest creation “Pra Nao Dizer” with Jude & Frank is next in line to make the rounds, and the deep meaning of the original is enough to make a resounding impact all on its own.
Download and Stream: https://insomniacrecs.ffm.to/pranaodizer
