Cleber Augusto releases new album with the assistance of AI

21 May 2025 - Press release

Warner Music Brazil helps artist who lost his voice to throat cancer

 

The deluxe version of the album Minhas Andanças is out today, capping off a remarkable project that brings the voice of Brazilian samba legend Cleber Augusto back to the spotlight. Blending tradition with innovation, the album used AI technology to reimagine Cleber's voice – more than two decades after he lost his voice to throat cancer. 

Cleber Augusto, a beloved composer, guitarist, and former member of the group Fundo de Quintal, has suffered from aphonia, a complete loss of voice, following surgery for throat cancer 21 years ago. 

To help revive his vocals, Warner Music Brazil harnessed AI technology and collaborated with some remarkable samba artists, including Alexandre Marmita, a singer, composer and cavaquinho player, who is a member of the famous Samba do Trabalhador – a samba circle that takes place every Monday at the Renascença club in Rio de Janeiro. 

Marmita, who shares Cleber Augusto's tone and is a big fan of his work, was chosen to be the voice donor to interpret the songs. Enhanced by AI, these interpretations, combined with Cleber's past vocal work, served as essential tools in the song creation process.

The project was produced by Alessandro Cardozo and Tony Vieira, who selected repertoire that spanned Cleber's career, bringing together artists from various generations to give the compositions a fresh and authentic feel. 

The work resulted in Minhas Andanças, which was released last month, with the deluxe version - containing four previously unreleased tracks - going on sale today.  In addition to 13 re-recordings of classic tracks, the album contains one new song, "Imã", which was composed more than 20 years ago and rescued from one of Cleber's old tapes, and performed with the assistance of composer, instrumentalist and singer Péricles.

The album also features other contributions from some of the biggest names in the world of samba, including Diogo Nogueira, Ferrugem, Marvvila, Menos é Mais, Mumuzinho, Pretinho da Serrinha, Roberta Sá, Seu Jorge, Sorriso Maroto, Tiê, Xande de Pilares, Yan, and Zeca Pagodinho.  

Cleber Augusto says: "The voice is the soul of music, and AI allowed me to maintain the essence of my interpretation, even with technology.  The end result is amazing.  The emotion and message of the songs remain intact, and that is what really matters. I thank Warner Music and everyone involved who made this project possible."

Tony Vieira, A&R Manager at Warner Music Brazil, adds: "Technology, when used with respect and purpose, can be a great ally of art.  This project does not replace Cleber's genius, but it allows his voice and his story to live on.  It is a way to celebrate his legacy and show the world the importance of his work."

Alexandre Marmita concludes: "It was an immense honor to participate in this project and lend my voice to help technology bring back the singing of a master like Cleber. He is a reference for me and for many samba singers. Knowing that my tone served as the basis for this recreation is something that moves me deeply."