Fantastic sounds from Monday Michiru – quite possibly her greatest album in years, and one that really draws together all the best elements of her style! The vocals are wonderful – soaring, fluid, and filled with soul – almost more confident than ever – and set to these small group jazz arrangements that still bounce around with lots of contemporary rhythms – yet all played live, almost in a clubjazz mode – which makes for a perfect backdrop for Monday's lyrics! As always, the vibe is righteous, and the spirit is totally uplifting – the kind of amazing music that's held us rapt, watching her career for the past two decades – never disappointed, and always blown away by the rich progression in her music. Monday plays a bit of flute on the record, Ed Motta sings guest vocals on a version of the Milton Nascimento classic "Bridges" – and other titles include "Adventures", "What Is In A Soul", "Map Of The Soul", "What Defines You", "Brasilianos", "Til Morning Comes Again", and "The Elusive Song". ~ Dusty Groove
Really lovely work from Hamilton De Holanda – the third entry in his Brasilianos series, and possibly the most compelling so far! Hamilton plays a 10 string mandolin with effortless ease – spinning out rich tones and colors that go far beyond traditional Brazilian use of a bandolim – and working in spacious territory that also includes harmonica from Gabriel Grossi, guitar from Daniel Santiago, bass from Andre Vasconcellos, and drums from Marcio Bahia. There's plenty of jazz inflections – and in ways, the album's almost like some of the best ECM sessions of this time from the late 70s – those few that really got the mix of modes right. Titles include "JK Proibido", "Prece Ao Santo Ceu", "Primeiras Ideias", "Saudades De Brasilia", "Saudades Do Rio", "Guerra E Paz", "Caos E Harmonia", and 'A Marcha Dos Candangos". ~ Dusty Groove
One of the loosest, freest recordings we've heard from Ken Vandermark in awhile – a great set of duets with drummer Paal Nilssen-Love, who's really got the right spirit here to match the sensitivity in Vandermark's reeds! Many tunes are in a sparer, gentler exploration of textures and tones – played beautifully by Ken on the fringes of music – using tenor, baritone sax, bass clarinet, and A clarinet – usually instruments that set the tone of the performances first, which Paal then follows beautifully with inventive work on the drum kit, and some additional percussion. The set's a great reminder that Vandermark can still stretch out beautifully like this – and titles include "Field 1", "Letter To A Stranger", "Field 3", "Crippled Donkey", "Strange Love", "Field 5", and "Bent Corners". ~ Dusty Groove
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