Welcome! My name is Felipe Oliveira, and this is the online home of my music project, “Desmadres of Invention.” The name Desmadres of Invention is a Mexican-Yankee cross-language play on words. A nod to Frank Zappa’s irreverence. Desmadres of Invention is not like Mothers, not even close, but it was inspired by their dancing to their own drum beat… and some music too. This project is the materialization of a long-time passion for writing and performing music for a contemporary band inspired by a variety of styles. Fusion, in essence.
Welcome! My name is Felipe Oliveira, and this is the online home of my instrumental music project, “Desmadres of Invention.” The name Desmadres of Invention is a Mexican-Yankee cross-language play on words. A nod to Frank Zappa’s irreverence. Desmadres of Invention is not like Mothers, not even close, but it was inspired by their dancing to their own drum beat… and some music too. This project is the materialization of a long-time passion for writing and performing music for a contemporary band inspired by a variety of styles. Fusion, in essence.
Joy in Jail
Among the numerous instrumental music sketches I keep in a chest, I crafted six into completed pieces for Joy in Jail, Desmadres of Invention’s first recording release.
The EP includes various genres, including progressive rock, jazz, West African, Brazilian, and classical. Four pieces are arranged for a contemporary band, one for a classical string octet and percussion, and a short, moody interlude features two electric basses and synths.
While I would have loved to have devoted more resources to this project, I am happy with the results. Despite many difficulties, it was a joyful undertaking. I hope it will bring you some joy, too.
It is highly recommended to listen with headphones, as neither the devil nor god likes mono. ~Felipe
Kente was born of my love for polyrhythms and was my first full composition.
When I was in drum performance music school, I was searching for a way to make fives and threes live together on the drum kit. It wasn’t until I added four to the mix that the 12/8 signature became the perfect foundation for the phrases and accents in this progressive rock composition.
Once the basic rhythmic structure was established, the main melodic motif came to life on the bass. From there, the rest of the song grew; and its name was born.
Kente is a type of African textile that features intricate patterns and vibrant colors, creating a visual polyrhythm. This piece is a musical reflection of that, with patterns orchestrated on various instruments, all based on a single rhythmic and melodic theme.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Drums, Percussion, Electric Bass, Keyboards
All other instruments recorded by pro hired guns.
Music ~ Blair Liggett & Felipe Oliveira
Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
I have been a fan of Brazilian guitarist and composer Paulo Bellinati ever since I saw Pau Brasil live in my hometown of Curitiba in the early 1980s.
Then, many years later, when I heard Los Angeles Guitar Quartet’s soulful and powerful rendering of Baião de Gude I knew I had to arrange it for a full band.
It was my chance to create on top of my favorite Brazilian rhythm, baião. (Or is it Arabic?)
Yes, horns, lots of horns!!! Inspired by João Bosco. And a touch of Frank Zappa for good measure. Yes, Marimba too.
Finally, while I am at it, let’s name this project Desmadres of Invention…
Felipe Oliveira ~ Drums, Electric Bass, Keyboards
All other instruments recorded by pro hired guns.
Music ~ Paulo Bellinati
Arrangements~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
L’Etoille’s entire form, rhythm, harmony, melodies, and pallette of sounds were created in one afternoon.
Sometimes, creative energy flows through us unabated, allowing Spirit to speak through us without hindrance.
The tarot card that represents our essential expression in the world is L’Etoille, or the Star. This card symbolizes openness, receptiveness, readiness, responsiveness, and being guided by a star above.
One might associate such spiritual concepts with serene and peaceful music, such as Gregorian chants, Tibetan throat singing, or the works of Bach. However, in this case, Spirit spoke through the language of progressive rock, with fat and smooth distorted guitars, synthesizers, and a tight rhythm section.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Drums, Electric Bass, Synth Lead, Keyboards
All other instruments recorded by pro hired guns.
Music & Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
A short interlude.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Electric Bass, Keyboards, Percussion
Music & Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
Prelude to a Dream was born in a jam session on two guitars—a steel-string acoustic and a Strat.
For this EP, I first thought I might arrange it as a rock ballad to stay true to my rock genes. But after some soul-searching, the spirit of Simon Jeffes and Penguin Café Orchestra spoke instead.
Those who know PCO’s “Signs of Life,” but particularly “The Snake and the Lotus,” might hear a connection. Here, however, we have a string octet, percussion, and some synthesizers sprinkled here and there.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Percussion, Synths
Xochitl Martinez ~ Violins
Rita Andrade ~ Violas
Danica Pinner ~ Cellos
Music ~ Felipe Oliveira
Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
This piece was also originally written for two guitars, but after some experimentation, it took on a different form. The melody and cadence suggested a groove that leaned toward West Africa with a groovy bass line, snare accents, and yes, horns!
The result is a dense tapestry of grooves and melodies. A synth lead and drum solo duet maintains the spirit of Desmadres of Invention, a fusion of progressive rock, jazz, and world music.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Drums, Electric & Synth Bass, Synth Lead, Keyboards
All other instruments recorded by pro hired guns.
Music ~ Blair Liggett & Felipe Oliveira
Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
Kente was born of my love for polyrhythms and was my first full composition.
When I was in drum performance music school, I was searching for a way to make fives and threes live together on the drum kit. It wasn’t until I added four to the mix that the 12/8 signature became the perfect foundation for the phrases and accents in this progressive rock composition.
Once the basic rhythmic structure was established, the main melodic motif came to life on the bass. From there, the rest of the song grew; and its name was born.
Kente is a type of African textile that features intricate patterns and vibrant colors, creating a visual polyrhythm. This piece is a musical reflection of that, with patterns orchestrated on various instruments, all based on a single rhythmic and melodic theme.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Drums, Percussion, Electric Bass, Keyboards
JP Mourão ~ Rhythm & Lead Guitars
Yakub Saputra ~ Electric Piano, Synth Lead
Music & Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
I have been a fan of Brazilian guitarist and composer Paulo Bellinati ever since I saw Pau Brasil live in my hometown of Curitiba in the early 1980s.
Then, many years later, when I heard Los Angeles Guitar Quartet’s soulful and powerful rendering of Baião de Gude I knew I had to arrange it for a full band.
It was my chance to create on top of my favorite Brazilian rhythm, baião. (Or is it Arabic?)
Yes, horns, lots of horns!!! Inspired by João Bosco. And a touch of Frank Zappa for good measure. Yes, Marimba too.
Finally, while I am at it, let’s name this project Desmadres of Invention…
Felipe Oliveira ~ Drums, Electric Bass, Keyboards
Bob Brumbeloe ~ Lead Guitar
JP Mourão ~ Rhythm Guitars
Yakub Saputra ~ Electric Piano
Jerry Tachoir ~ Marimba
Shannon Canchola-Limon ~ Flute
Fabian Chavez, Mike Cordone, Randy Garcia ~ Horns
Music ~ Paulo Bellinati
Arrangements~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
L’Etoille’s entire form, rhythm, harmony, melodies, and pallette of sounds were created in one afternoon.
Sometimes, creative energy flows through us unabated, allowing Spirit to speak through us without hindrance.
The tarot card that represents our essential expression in the world is L’Etoille, or the Star. This card symbolizes openness, receptiveness, readiness, responsiveness, and being guided by a star above.
One might associate such spiritual concepts with serene and peaceful music, such as Gregorian chants, Tibetan throat singing, or the works of Bach. However, in this case, Spirit spoke through the language of progressive rock, with fat and smooth distorted guitars, synthesizers, and a tight rhythm section.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Drums, Electric Bass, Synth Lead, Keyboards
JP Mourão ~ Rhythm & Lead Guitars
Music & Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
A short interlude.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Electric Bass, Keyboards, Percussion
Music & Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
Prelude to a Dream was born in a jam session on two guitars—a steel-string acoustic and a Strat.
For this EP, I first thought I might arrange it as a rock ballad to stay true to my rock genes. But after some soul-searching, the spirit of Simon Jeffes and Penguin Café Orchestra spoke instead.
Those who know PCO’s “Signs of Life,” but particularly “The Snake and the Lotus,” might hear a connection. Here, however, we have a string octet, percussion, and some synthesizers sprinkled here and there.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Percussion, Synths
Xochitl Martinez ~ Violins
Rita Andrade ~ Violas
Danica Pinner ~ Cellos
Music ~ Felipe Oliveira
Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
This piece was also originally written for two guitars, but after some experimentation, it took on a different form. The melody and cadence suggested a groove that leaned toward West Africa with a groovy bass line, snare accents, and yes, horns!
The result is a dense tapestry of grooves and melodies. A synth lead and drum solo duet maintains the spirit of Desmadres of Invention, a fusion of progressive rock, jazz, and world music.
Felipe Oliveira ~ Drums, Electric & Synth Bass, Synth Lead, Keyboards
JP Mourão ~ Rhythm & Lead Guitars
Yakub Saputra ~ Synth Lead Solo
Fabian Chavez, Mike Cordone, Randy Garcia ~ Horns
Music ~ Felipe Oliveira
Arrangements ~ Felipe Oliveira
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Felipe Oliveira
Desmadres of Invention
Starting a band in my fifties is exciting, but it is not without significant obstacles. On bad days, I feel like Ray Lomas—too old to rock ‘n’ roll, too young to die. On good days, I do the stuff you can see and hear here.
Now that the album has been released, the plan is to put together a band, play “Joy in Jail” and other tunes live, and go from there. Hopefully, this will lead to collaborations and more writing and arranging.
I am forming a quartet or quintet, depending on the skills of whoever rises to the occasion. Drums/Percussion, Bass, Guitar, and Keyboards. Plus, a guitarist who can also play keyboards or vice versa. A guitar with a MIDI pickup would be ideal. Taurus pedals, a Stick, anyone? No sight-reading is required. However, the ability to read charts and some music notation will be required.
If you are interested in participating in this endeavor or have other creative collaboration ideas, please use the form below to contact me.
