ESTREITO is the first album by São Paulo composer, producer and arranger Valentim Frateschi, released by Seloki Records. Bringing together nine tracks created over a period of five years, the album carries a strong sense of continuity and transition. As the artist himself defines it, the title alludes to ‘the strait as a place between two places’ – a metaphor that encapsulates not only the concept of the album, but also an existential moment: the sonic trajectory to reach the present.

The tracks on ESTREITO were composed between 2019 and 2022, with voice and guitar, at different moments and states of transition. Songs such as Pássaro Cinza, Corpo Colado, Estreito and Mau Contato emerged in a fragmented way, accompanied by initial ideas for arrangements that matured over time. Falando Nisso, a collaboration with Nina Maia, was the first to be recorded and has already been released as a single – still outside the context of an album. In 2023, after the release of Falando Nisso, the repertoire took shape. The recording sessions also gave rise to the vignettes flnd, novo espaço, and Colado, the latter of which unfolded from Corpo Colado.

Featuring Nina Maia and Sophia Chablau, two artists with whom Valentim Frateschi has had ties since childhood, the interpretations were conceived based on the characteristics of each track and the musical relationship built over time. In Falando Nisso, Nina contributes vocals that originated from a home recording made during the pandemic, which, according to the artist, ‘seemed like they had been there from the beginning.’ In Mau Contato, Sophia shares the lead vocals with Valentim, in addition to creating a vocal melody that turns into a distorted scream at the end of the track — ‘I think it's the most rock part of the album,’ comments Valentim.

ABOUT VALENTIM FRATESCHI

Valentim Frateschi, 21, is a bassist, composer, and music producer in the band Os Fonsecas, as well as collaborating on various projects. Born in São Paulo, he released his first single, Falando Nisso, in 2023. The track – featuring Nina Maia – is a song strongly inspired by MPB classics such as João Donato and Rita Lee, with influences from Maurício Pereira and Ana Frango Elétrico in its structure and production. The artist is currently preparing to release his debut album, ESTREITO.

Valentim began studying music and composing as a child. In high school, at the age of 16, he recorded the EP “Fundo da Meia” with Os Fonsecas – with whom he also released the album “Estranho pra Vizinha”. In addition to marking his first experience in the studio, the work was the beginning of his partnership with Seloki Records, the label with which he will release his debut album.

During the pandemic, he devoted himself to composing and intensive study of instruments (double bass, guitar, and keyboard). With this background, he produced ‘Falando Nisso’ and began working professionally as a producer and musician – always prioritising original projects, such as Maria Esmeralda, Nina Maia, Agnes Nunes, Francisca Barreto, MONCHMONCH, among others.