The Beatles Nova

So many artists have covered Beatles tunes in so many ways that one might wonder why anyone would bother anymore. What possibly could there be left to say in this music? Undeterred, Chicago jazz musicians Paulinho Garcia and Grazyna Auguscik have taken on some of the most familiar works in the Beatles catalog on an appealing new album, “The Beatles Nova.” Their perspective on this repertoire sounds as fresh as the recording’s title implies, the musicians reiterating the point Thursday night at Katerina’s. Audiences in Chicago – and well beyond – already know that the Brazilian-born Garcia brings a seductive rhythmic lilt to nearly everything he sings (and plays on guitar). Auguscik, meanwhile, applies the fervent lyricism of music of her native Poland to a broad range of repertoire. Over the years, Garcia and Auguscik have formed a partnership unique in contemporary music, two voices from distinct cultures coming together in the precincts of Chicago jazz. With each season, their instruments blend a little more closely, and on Thursday night dual voices merged almost as one. Better still, Garcia’s arrangements transformed the Beatles originals and, in many ways, improved upon them. The familiarity of these songs have made them classics, but Garcia’s versions extend their chordal vocabulary far beyond anything the Beatles attempted. Here is Beatles music enriched with the sophistication of jazz harmony, the seductive sway of Brazilian rhythm and other variables. During their first set at Katerina’s, Garcia and Auguscik re-conceived every Beatles tune they touched, leaving enough of the original to render the music recognizable, but altering enough to keep matters interesting. In “Hey Jude,” for instance, Garcia re-imagined the famous melody line from the outset, meanwhile re-harmonizing it, as well. Yet the overall contour of the song remained, a Beatles standard deftly reconfigured for jazz sensibilities. The subtlety of the endeavor showed respect for the...

Masha Campagne – Like Water, LIke Air

With the long anticipated 2012 sophomore release Like Water, Like Air Campagne’s fresh and sincere voice is bound to reach new levels of recognition. Co-produced with her long-time musical partner Iago it indicates the arrival of a singular artist with unparalleled grace, vision and maturity. More importantly, it marks the recording debut of Campagne as a songwriter. Four impressive originals reflect a thoughtful attention to detail, both in the heartfelt lyrics and in smart, compelling arrangements. Adding to that are exciting collaborations with the prodigious Brazilian guitarist/composer Guinga and German harmonica and vibraphone virtuoso Hendrik Meurkens – the results are sensual, sparkling, and sure. Like Water, Like Air – Featuring: Guinga, Hendrik Meurkens, Weber Iago “He was the effortless choice for me as a co-producer,” says Masha Campagne about working with longtime friend and collaborator Weber Iago. And on Like Water, Like Air, her second full-length collaboration with Iago, the partnership could hardly feel more organic. Together, they leave an unmistakable stamp on the album’s 11 fabulous songs—some standards, some yet to be—which place the chanteuse fronting a roster of bold talents. Standing out among these is guitarist/composer Guinga, a strong mentor and friend since 2005, whose skillful fingers wield both strings and pen in two songs of his own design. Of Guinga, Campagne remarks; “His eternally beautiful music that draws on a range of inspirations, from the European classical tradition to great American composers echoes deeply in the recesses of my Slavic soul.” Adding liquid gold to the pot is German harmonica and vibraphone master Hendrik Meurkens, a musician Campagne had long admired from afar. “Harmonica is one of my favorite jazz instruments,” Campagne recalls. “Hendrik’s fiery, original solos and intense lyricism stayed with me since I first heard him in 2000.” Bassist Dan Robbins, drummer Jason Lewis, multi-reed player Harvey Wainapel, guitarist Jeff Buenz, and percussionists Michael...

Carol Saboya -The Music of Ivan Lins and Milton Nascimento

It has always been a musical environment. Carol Saboya, the composer Antônio Adolfo’s daughter, was raised surrounded by inspired chords, scribbled scores and songs being born: The art in its full creation process. She spent three years studying singing in the United States, taking part in Sérgio Mendes’ Brasileiro CD. After returning to Brazil, she made a recording with the North American pianist Joyce Collins and participated in a tribute to Aldir Blanc, who was moved to listen to Carol featuring the song Carta de pedraat Canecão. The girl with that sweet voice and impeccable tuning started getting the media’s attention. Carol’s expected solo work came in 1998. Dança da voz, produced by Almir Chediak, awarded Carol the 1998’s as new vocalist by “Prêmio Sharp”. On the following year, she jumped into Tom Jobim’s work and recorded the album Janelas abertas, accompanied by Nelson Faria’s guitar. In 2000, it is time to make a collective unconscious visit with the cinematographic repertoire of Sessão Passatempo. In the same year, she featured Imaginária by Suely Mesquita and Mário Sève in the Brazilian Music Festival (Festival da Música Brasileira) promoted by ‘TV Globo’. The next album, Presente(2003), recovers the first album’s sophisticated and successful mix of popular and traditional music. Two years after, a new CD was released: Antonio Adolfo e Carol Saboya ao vivo/live , wich was recorded in Festival Miami. In 2008 another CD, Chão aberto, focusing on songs by brazilian young talent Mário Sève. In 2010, once again an album with Antonio Adolfo (Lá e Cá/Here and There). Mixing Brazilian and American standards by some of the most inspired composers, such as Jobim and Cole Prter. For the first time, in 2012, a solo album released in the US, the CD Belezas – The Music of Ivan Lins and Milton Nascimento. Produced and arranged by Antonio Adolfo, with a...

Diana Panton “To Brazil With Love”

“To Brazil With Love” from vocalist/composer Diana Panton is a perfect jewel of a CD. Each delightful track is an exquisitely manicured musical facet, set firmly in the Brazilian idiom and seamlessly sung in French and English by Panton. Her diaphanous vocal sound never insists and her high speed vibrato is like the beat of a hummingbird’s heart – natural, untainted and pure. The Brazilian-infused material is an eclectic mix, including compositions from Panton, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Paul McCartney (check out the moving interpretation of And I Love Her/Him featuring Don Thompson on piano rendering chord changes that never entered McCartney’s mind). On the recording, Panton has cleverly surrounded herself with superb musicians – including multi-instrumentalist and producer Thompson on bass, piano and vibes. Guitarist Reg Schwager makes a stellar contribution with his exquisite solos, as does flautist Bill McBirnie. The rich, sonorous linear lines of Kiki Misumi’s cello also enhance the arrangements. Highlights include Panton’s Is it Really You, Samba Saravah (from the 1966 film A Man and a Woman, with authentic vocal and percussion from Maninho Costa), Jobim’s So Nice replete with a lovely, breezy vocal and a take on the 1963 Bobby Vee hit, The Night Has a Thousand Eyes – demonstrating that Diana Paton certainly knows her way around a standard, Brazilian or otherwise. This is a stunning recording on all levels, and we should all look forward to more from the lovely Ms. Panton. Written by Lesley...

Maria Jameau & Blue Brazil

Gema (Challenge Records)  Maria Jameau & Blue Brazil is a soulful world music quintet based in Sonoma County, California. Comprised of longtime performing artists, Bob Afifi (flute), Nate Lopez (bass & guitar), Jacob Harris (percussion), Pablo Rodriguez (guitar and vocals), and Maria Jameau (award-winning lead vocals and percussion), Blue Brazil creates sounds that make the spirit dance and the mind relax. While the musical backgrounds among them range from latin, jazz, r & b, and funk to Spanish flamenco, north Indian and eastern European, Maria Jameau & Blue Brazil performs a mix of Brazilian, African, Latin and French music that enchants the soul. Their music is classy, organic, bohemian, soulful, and...

Wanda Sa & Roberto Menescal

Great work from one of the best bossa teams still going after all these years – Wanda Sa and Roberto Menescal – both of whom work here with a bit more groove than usual, definitely earning the “swing” in the title! There’s a very jazzy feel going on here – one that’s still got some of the warmth of Menescal’s recent work, but not as much of the softness – a bit more bite, especially on the rhythms, and a style that leaps out at us a bit more than before. Arrangements are still in that careful blend of space and soul that makes Roberto’s work so great – and although Wanda does most of the singing, Menescal also joins in a bit as well, especially on some cool wordless duet passages! Titles include “Vai De Vez”, “Mar Amar”, “Errinho A Toa”, “Tem Do”, “Ninguem”, “A Banca Do Distinto”, “Telefone”, and “Copacabana De Sempre”.  © 1996-2011, Dusty Groove America,...