The caipira (hillbilly) duo Belmonte e Amaraí was the precursor to the contemporary sertanejo romântico style by including orchestras and electric guitars in their recordings as early as the '70s, even if they still were rootsy enough to specialize in the traditional repertory of guarânias, boleros, and Mexican rancheras. Not surprisingly, they crossed partners with another duo precursor of the romantic style, Tibagi e Miltinho, as Belmonte was a former member of a duo with Miltinho, and Amaraí with Tibagi. Formed in the mid-'60s, Belmonte e Amaraí recorded successful albums such as Boa-Noite, Amor and Por Que Fui Te Conhecer. Their biggest hits were the rasqueado "Saudades Da Minha Terra," the polca paraguaia "Pombinha Mensageira," and "Andorinha," an adaptation of the Mexican song "La Golondrina." The duo ended tragically in 1972 with Belmonte's demise in a car accident in Santa Cruz, São Paulo. On the 20th anniversary of his death, he was paid tribute with the project 20 Years Without Belmonte e Amaraí and with a show in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. ~ Alvaro Neder