A really tremendous album from Celso Fonseca
– a set that really takes the singer to a whole new level, and may even find
him a wider global audience as well! The album begins with the sublime title
cut – an original by Celso, with beautiful English lyrics – and throughout the
record, songs mix English and Portuguese in this really lovely way – scored to
these jazzy backings that are augmented by just the right, light use of strings
– which almost gives the whole thing the feel of some sophisticated late 60s
jazz vocal album, although one that's still got plenty of Brazilian touches,
too! Acoustic guitar underscores some bossa elements in the music, but the
set's hardly just a bossa record at all – and instead, really feels like
Fonseca making a bid to become one of the best male jazz singers on the planet,
which he might well do with a record like this. Titles include "Rio
56", "Like Nice", "Road To Paradise", "Cancao Que
Vem", "Meu Silencio", "January In The Tropics",
"Zum Zum", "Stormy", and "O Que Vai Sobrar". ~ Dusty Groove
MILTON NASCHIMENTO & DUDU LIMA TRIO -TAMAREAR
One of the greatest settings in years for legendary Brazilian
singer Milton Nascimento – a record that has the giant working with just a jazz
trio for backing – led by bassist Dudu Lima, and with a sound that really takes
Milton back to his roots! Nascimento's always had a very special style, but
some albums of the past decade or two don't always bring it to the forefront –
yet here, with just a piano, bass, and drums for accompaniment, Milton hits the
kinds of soulful strides he initially made in the company of keyboardist Wagner
Tiso on his 70s classics – this kind of spacious, almost heavenly mode that's
filled with soul. The musicians move between acoustic and electric elements,
but the sound is pretty stripped-down throughout – although guitarist Stanley
Jordan joins the set on two numbers. The group really change up some Nascimento
classics, too – and titles include "Clube Da Esquinha No 2",
"Gran Circo", "Som Do Ceu/Nada Sera Como Antes",
"Tamerar", "Belafante", "Fe Cega Faca Amolada",
and "Nascimento/Travessia". ~ Dusty Groove
TORBJORN ZETTERBERG & DEN STORA FRAGEN - OM LIV & DOD
Bassist Torbjorn Zetterberg may well be one of our favorite
contemporary talents on his instrument – able to play with a depth of soul when
he wants, but break out into much more modern ideas as well – adding key energy
to any smaller group he joins, but even more tremendous as a leader on records
like this! In some way, Zetterberg may be the Charles Mingus of the 21st
Century – leading with a very dynamic approach that allows plenty of bold
improvisation from the musicians in his group, but always bringing a strong
focus to the sound that never fails to delight – as new ideas explode from the efforts
of the group, while its individual members express themselves freely. And while
we've always loved Torbjorn's records, this one may well blow all the others
away for its freshness and vitality – clearly the work of the leader, but also
equally shared by the lineup that includes Susansa Santos Silva on trumpet,
Mats Aleklint on trombone, Alberto Pinton on baritone and flute, Jon Falt on
drums, and the mighty Jonas Kullhammar on tenor, flute, and Braithophone.
Titles include "Vad Ar Det Som Dor", "Innan & Efter",
"Springa Runt I Hjul", "Saker Overallt", "Sakra
Tvivel", and "Knut Utan Slut". ~ Dusty Groove
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