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f you want to encounter the real joy and swing of modern Brazilian jazz, search no farther than this wonderful session by Harvey Wainapel, who plays sax and clarinet with a mix and match of lyrically lovely artists. Most of the tunes are composed by the artists, as the gently joyful “Mamulengo” has composer Lea Freire and piano in to intermingle with Harvey’s warm and embracing clarinet. The band dresses up in strings with a gently during “Boneca” that has Beto Lopes’ guitar and composer Eneias Xavier’s bass dance with a trio and the leader’s alto caresses the melody, while he strips down to his shorts with just Lucas dos Prazeres’ percussion and Spok’s soprano as a duet of straight saxes go frenetic and festive on “Nilinho Na Aldeira.” Some rich harmonies on clarinet and bass clarinet create a cozy blanket on “Palavras De Minina” and a playful and old world feel mixes mandolin, 7-string guitar and cavaquinho with Wainapel’s clarinet on a coy “Procurando Encrenca.” Warmth and reflection will embrace you on “Velho Realejo” and melancholy moods embrace all things wonderfully mournful and romantic on “Nas Ras De Perdizes.” This is music that revives the soul. Bravo!
Jazzmission Records