Arlindo Cruz

Arlindo Cruz made his initial appearance on record through Candeia's album Roda de Samba. Written in 1980, his debut composition "Lição de Malandragem" received its first recording by Davi Correia. That same year he became a member of Fundo de Quintal, the samba ensemble whose historic importance was recognized for advancing the genre's renewal; there he encountered Sombrinha, with whom he would later release multiple albums and sustain an ongoing stage partnership. His first vocal performance on disc occurred on the group's second release, Fundo de Quintal No. 2. Several of his own pieces achieved success in his renditions, among them "Só Pra Contrariar," created with Sombrinha and Almir Guineto. Other artists turned his songs into hits as well, including Beth Carvalho with "Malandro Sou Eu" and "Sonhando Sou Feliz," Alcione with "Fora de Ocasião," and Zeca Pagodinho with "Bagaço de Laranja," "Saudade Louca," and "Casal Sem Vergonha." The 1992 LP Arlindinho launched his solo trajectory. Co-written with Aluísio Machado, Índio do Império, Lula, and Beto Pernada, the samba enredo "E Verás Que Um Filho Teu Não Foge À Luta" was performed by the Império Serrano samba school.