Last year, guitarist Albare released an impressive tribute to Tom Jobim that respected the famous melodies, but presented them in a tasty new framework. This time out, he uses Joe Chindamo’s talents as string arranger, conductor and pianist along with the rhythm team of Rocardo Rodriguez/b, Pablo Bencid/dr and Luisito Quintero/perc and guests Antonio Sanchez/dr, Nestor Torres/fl and Randy Brecker/tp for a rich an textured tapestry of modern samba.
Albare’s guitar is tender and mild with Sanchez at the drums and the strings creating a mist on “Dindi” and relaxingly melancholy “Once I Loved”. Brecker’s horn is warm on “So Danco Samba” and teams with the rich percussion on “Favela” while Torres’s flute floats with Albare’s nylon strings on “How Insensitive” and the sweeping strings on “Summer Samba”. “Triste” includes romantic piano by Chindamo” and “A Felicidade” has the leader gliding over the cascading strings like a long boarder in Oahu. Music you could take in all day.