Two For Duke brings together two of the big names on the Italian jazz scene, pianist Dado Moroni and tenor player Max Ionata, on a set of eleven tunes from the Ellington repertoire. There's a wonderfully intimate live in the studio feel to this, making the listener feel as he or she is sitting in on an exclusive session. This duet is a match made in heaven, with Moroni's warm piano playing laying down a rich harmonic tapestry onto which Ionata is free to weave in some rich detail. A tribute project to an all-time great is always fraught with risks, as there are high standards to live up to, but Ionata and Moroni are more than equal to the task and at times their mutual understanding is so spot on that it almost feels effortless. On Two For Duke, the pair delve into all era of the Ellington catalogue, with some well-known standards as well as some tunes that aren't revisited as often these days. The high points on the set include the Billy Strayhorn composition The Intimacy Of The Blues, the swinging Just Squeeze Me and the late night mood of In My Solitude. A superbly accomplished album, Two For Dukes is a refreshing new take on the Ellington songbook, and a great album to chill out to. Originally posted on Tokyo Jazz Notes HERE
A sublime selection of grooves from the legendary A&M Records – and a key document of the way the label helped shape the sound of Brazilian music in the 60s! Far more than any other American imprint, A&M had a key dedication to bringing Brazilian sounds to the US – not just through work by artists like Sergio Mendes, Edu Lobo, Bossa Rio, and others – but also through the way it introduced Brazilian songs, arrangements, and instrumentation to work by other singers too! This package brings together some of the best of those moments – great music mostly from the late 60s – showing not just the presence of Brazilian music on the label, but the strong influence of bossa nova as well. Titles include "Old Devil Moon" by Bossa Rio, "Dindi" by Claudine Longet, "Fool On The Hill" by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66, "One Note Samba" by Chris Montez, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Roger Nichols, "Fly Me To The Moon" by Chris Montez, "Day By Day" by Bossa Rio, "Misty Roses" by The Sandpipers, "The Girl From Ipanema" by Chris Montez, "Up Up & Away" by Bossa Rio, "Mas Que Nada" by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66, and "Our Day Will Come" by Roger Nichols Trio. ~ Dusty Groove
This is it: the landmark record that brought together all the brilliant young talents of the radical Tropicalia movement – Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Os Mutantes, Nara Leao, and Gal Costa. The groundbreaking album served as a "manifesto" for the Tropicalia movement, and it's still the best introduction to the fantastic sounds of the group. Gal and Caetano sing "Baby", Caetano and Gilberto sing "Tres Caravelas", and the whole group sings the tracks "Parque Industrial" and "Hino Do Senhor Do Bonfim". Also includes Gilberto Gil's great reading of "Bat Macumba", Nara Leao singing "Lindoneia", and Os Mutantes storming through "Panis Et Circenses" (bread and circuses). Beautiful cover, too, featuring the group all sitting together, looking super intellectual. Essential stuff! (On heavy vinyl – and with a bonus CD of the album!) ~ Dusty Groove
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