THE REUNION PROJECT - VARANDA
Five masters of Brazilian jazz bridge years and styles to
form The Reunion Project. On Veranda
they offer a modern spin on their jazz and Brazilian music influences. The
bonds forged during our formative years can be some of the strongest and most
enduring throughout the rest of our lives, no matter where our paths might take
us. Saxophonist Felipe Salles, guitarist Chico Pinheiro, pianist Tiago Costa
and drummer Edu Ribeiro came of age in São Paulo listening to a unique blend of
jazz and Brazilian music that shaped each of them as they've embarked on
notable but diverging careers in music. 20 years on, all four come together for
the first time and, joined by young lion bassist Bruno Migotto, form The
Reunion Project. The quintet's debut, Varanda, reflects the eclectic roots and
youthful camaraderie of its members, deepened and honed by the maturity gleaned
from two-plus decades of study and experience. On Varanda these five Brazilian
virtuosos explore the far-reaching crossroads of modern jazz and Brazilian
music through nine original compositions and the aptly-chosen standard
"Yesterdays," which, in Costa's tropically lush arrangement, puts the
group's unique spin on a familiar tune while expressing the warm nostalgia of
the group's reunion.
TEODROSS AVERY – POST MODERN TRAP MUSIC
One of the rawest records we've ever heard from saxophonist
Teodross Avery – a set that's very stripped-down, and only just features his
tenor alongside drums from Marvin Bugalu Smith! The open setting has Avery
really stretching out, in ways we've never heard before – maybe starting with
the sort of freedoms that Sonny Rollins first explored at the end of the 50s,
but then moving into even more spiritual territory overall – at a level that
has us really reevaluating our understanding of his music! The approach is
maybe more that of a late 70s David Murray session than we'd ever expect from
Teodross – completely stunning throughout. Titles include "The
Mystery", "Coltrane Van Halen", "Opponent
Contemplation", "Volatility", and "Life Or Death" –
and the CD concludes with shorter spoken passages, in which Avery discusses the
music. ~ Dusty Groove
.
BRANDEE YOUNGER – WAX & WANE
A hip harpist for the 21st Century – one of the few players
on the instrument who've been able to carry on the soulful legacy of Dorothy
Ashby in the 60s – while still also giving the instrument a new sort of
placement in jazz! Brandee Younger's working here with production help from one
of Robert Glasper's producers – and the album's got a well-rounded soulful
sound – with some nice fusion touches and some other larger elements too –
almost as if Dorothy Ashby had made it to the studio with Larry Mizell in the
70s! Other players include Anne Drummond on flute, Mark Whitfield on guitar,
Dezron Douglas on bass, and Chelsea Baratz on tenor – and titles include
remakes of the Ashby classics "Soul Vibrations", "Wax &
Wane", and "Afro Harping" – plus the originals "Black
Gold", "Ruby Echo", and "Ebony Haze". ~ Dusty Groove
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