Released in June 1973, the album "Pérola Negra" marked the beginning of Luiz Melodia's career and brought together influences that went far beyond samba. The album is the subject of a book of the same name written by journalist and writer Márcio Pinheiro, published by Cobogó publishing house in the collection "O Livro do Disco".
In an interview with Estúdio CBN, Pinheiro explained that his research was based mainly on books, newspapers from the time, and works by other researchers. He described the work as a consolidation, gathering material that already existed and was waiting to be recovered. The interviews represented a smaller part of the survey, since many of those involved in the album's history have already died.
Born in Estácio, birthplace of Cariccan samba, Melodia grew up in contact with Brazilian music, but was also influenced by international production and the pop culture of the 1960s. The Jovem Guarda of Roberto Carlos and the great festivals of the time are among the references that marked his musical formation.
