I don’t know how this guy does it, but pianist Roger Davidson has consistently released some of the best original South American music that is available. This two disc set contains almost 2 hours of Brazilian joy; all originals, and all amazingly fresh and delectable. He mixes and matches various group sizes with Marcel Martins/woodwinds, Gilmar Ferreira/tb, Leonardo/g, Ne Coneicao-Sergio Barrozo/b, Rafael Barata-Paulo Braga/dr and Marco Lobo/perc in order to keep the music varied and enticing. Full band pieces range from upbeat ditties like “Sonho de Amanha” and “Journey to Rio” to blowing sessions for Martins’ tenor on “One Samba Note” and “Samba 3”. Amuedo’s acoustic guitar is caressed on a quartet take of “Sonho do Amor,” but even more delicate is his duet with Davidson on the glowing “Embrasse-moi.” Davidson’s other duo, “Viagem” with Martins on soprano is an agonizing treasure, and when Davidson strips down to solo performances as on “Minha Alegria” time almost sands still. Hard to believe that such creative and fresh music comes from a guy who would burn like a lobster at Ipanema’s beach!
Soundbrush Records