The subtitle “A Brazilian Under the Jazz Influence” could easily describe either this most recent album by guitarist Romero Lubambo or the guitarist himself. He’s best known for his partnership with vocalist Luciana Souza, but he’s making a name for himself touring as either a solo act or in conjunction with other guitarists like Stanley Jordan. Last year he released the gorgeous So, and this one is just as excellent if not better.
He lets his guitar solo work do the talking for him, and employing nylon string, steel string, electric and even a home made fretless guitar. It doesn’t matter; Lubambo creates lovely originals, interprets Brazilian standards and purees American pieces through the Brazilian blender to create a holistic unit of Brazilian breezes. It took awhile for me to identify “Darn that Dream” and “All the Things You Are” by melody, as the graceful and melodic intros created a rich samba environment, fitting right in with Jobim’s “Meditacao.” Likewise, Victor Young’s “Love Letters” sways as well as Lubamba’s on rich “Nira” and “Muriqui,” with gentle rain forest droplets of water creating both rhythm and melody.
The relaxed pace, the timeliness of each note, the use of technique to enrich yet not overwhelm each song and passage is deftly stroked like a master painter. Bravo!
Sunnyside Records
www.sunnysiderecords.com