The fluid and lithe trio lead by Roger Davidson is captured in concert here during their series of Wednesday night gigs in Greenwich Village. Bassists David Finck and Pablo Aslan take turns here, and the drummer is always Adriano Santos while the music is uniformally lyrical and romantic. Davidson goes solo on a gorgeous “To Brazil With Love” and a cozy duet with Aslan on “Spring Samba. Besides that ,you get delicate and coy treatments of Davidson’s own “Fico Feliz” and “Caminhada de Verao” which stand up against anything Gilberto or Jobim could pen. The fun reading of “Garota de Ipanema” fits in well with the percussive “brisa Morna” and the old world charm of “Oracao Para o Amor.” For the recording, the piano is a bit bright, but it makes the mood here even more festive. Davidson is one of the most underrated composers around and has a natural feel for Brazilian sounds.
Soundbrush Records