Author: Paola Correa

Source: O Popular - GO, 19/12/2007

São Paulo / Folhapress

Earlier this month, singer Arnaldo Antunes released the album Saber for R $ 5. The CD is a reissue of the album of the same name originally released in 2004 and comes out on the label Biscoito Fino, but now in the SMD format Disc), a new alternative for musical reproduction that makes selling CDs cheaper. The product was created by Ralf, from the duo Chrystian &; Ralf. The novelty comes without insert and with simple packaging. However, the sound quality is the same as the conventional CD.

Like Antunes, other artists have already adopted the idea and are betting on the album at more affordable prices. The first to adhere to the idea was the composer Leandro Lehart. The former singer of the group Art Popular sells his most recent work, Mestiço, for R $ 1 in concerts. "In order to sell the CD at this price, I gave up the copyright and I do not insert a booklet," says Lehart. “If you think about it, you realize that the booklet is useless. People put the CD in a diskette, and the box ends up in the trash. ” According to the pagodeiro, betting on this project, he has already sold 90 thousand copies independently.

The cost of recording the SMD varies between R $ 1 and R $ 3. Lehart says he pays R $ 1. In other words, he does not profit from the sale of his work. “Nowadays, selling records doesn't make a profit for the artist. The CD is a business card, the beginning of a relationship between the singer and the fan ”, he says.

His former group, Art Popular, also embraced the idea and, on the 29th, released the album O Canto da Razão - ao Vivo. The disc will cost R $ 5, and the DVD, R $ 10. “We are aware that our audience will not pay R $ 20 for a CD. I think that selling a quality album for the same price that can be bought at the street vendor is respecting the fan ”, says percussionist Malli.

With an independent label, AP Produções, the group also sees the album as a promoter and no longer as a source of profit. “The record companies have taxes to pay, and there is no way to cheapen the record. The way for the artist is to offer work of equal quality, but earning less, ”says Malli. “Piracy is a cultural problem in Brazil and will only change when there is a strict law. For now, we are doing our part, ”says Lehart.