Just when you thought that nothing new could be done to the wonderous sounds from Brazil, you get this delightful collection of fresh compositions from cellist Catherine Bent. She cleverly uses her instrument as a lead, and it works amazingly well with her team of Lucas Porto/7stg-g, Marcus Tadeu/dr-perc, Magno Julio pandeiro, Flora Milito/zab, Ninha Thomas/cava, Pedro Aune/b and a horn section of Daniela Spielmann, Joana Saraiva, Everson Moraes, Aquiles Moraes and Bia Stutz.
The rhythm team creates intoxicating pulses, even melding in moments of Bach with Stutz’s woody clarinet on the grooving “Insegueranca Na Gafieiera” as well as on Saraiva’s flute on a joyful “Fazendo As Malas. Bent’s mix of melodic bowing and pizzicatos creates an Old World mood with Aune on “Chinderlandia” while rich sensualities conjure sounds of romance with Saraiva on “Som Do Seilerei.” Samba percolations are in abundance with a gracious “Aviacao” lead by Speilmann’s soprano sax as Bent leads the dance on “Zona Franca.” This is a gem from the Amazon!