The huge voice and troubled life of Brazilian Soul man Tim Maia is summed up in this cool Dutch animation produced by SuperHeroes Amsterdam, ShopAround and record label Luakabop. “This story is one of humorous excess in every way imaginable and there’s something for all the family: drugs, women, money, guns and even a UFO cult thrown in” – say the producers.

Or, in the recent words of the New York Times:

The voice made him one of Brazil’s most popular singers for nearly 30 years, a pioneer in adapting American soul music to Brazilian tastes; the outsized cravings for drugs, alcohol and food derailed his career, killing him in 1998, just as he seemed to be getting back on track. But now, nearly 15 years later, Maia’s comeback seems to be complete: a musical about him has been one of the biggest hits of the last year in his hometown, Rio de Janeiro; a biopic is in the works; and his influence can be heard in contemporary Brazilian pop stars like Seu Jorge and Marcelo D2.

This short video promotes the just released album “The Existential Soul of Tim Maia” with a bunch of his 70s recordings.

For a little sample of Tim Maia in action, see the post Unexpected duos.