Here are some sounds that reflect what’s happening south of the border. Adventure Music Records is sort of like what Blue Note Records would be if they were stationed in Brazil. They have a coterie of musicians that show up on each other s albums, but they also delve into educating people on more esoteric forms of the local sounds
The Adventure Music Piano Masters Series this time around features Weber Iago, who mixes composed originals with a handful of spontaneous improvisations. Of the later, a Satie-ish playful feel oozes into the mix of the rapid fire“True Colors” and joyful “Stairway to Us” that is quite clever. He flows along on “Happiness is a Choice” and he’s also able to go on rabbit trails with his ivories, nibbling here and there, on “Mirrors.” He’s got an ability to hit the keys with energy, or take it delicately as well, as on “Merci Mon Frere.” Impressive.
Brazilian Ricardo Silveira must now be stationed in LA, as he picks some of the area’s best musicians for this disc. Justo Almario, Bill Cantos, Alphonso Johnson and Dave Weckl are just some of the top notch artists that guest on this disc that is not “smooth,” but smoothly played. He’s mostly on acoustic guitar or gentle electric, doing a pair of short solos, but mostly sticking to a small group, on the peppy title track or the joyful “Island Magic.” He can sound gentle and lonely, as on “Still Think of You,” or can get a bit assertive with “Always There.” A must for Earl Klugh fans looking for something new.
If you want something even a bit more southern, head off to this record by Gustavo Casenave, and get some hot small group tango. Eddie Gomez brings his bass for one track, but the regular band of Pedro Giraudo/b, Nick Danielson/violin, Juan Pableo Jofre Romarion-Lautaro Greco/bandoneon and Casenave/p do just fine as well. Almost all of the songs are in the 2-5 minute range, so the moods change quickly, with exciting moments like “La Confianza” and “Totango.” The mix of piano and bandoneon works amazingly well and is surprisingly uncluttered, as on the thriving “Adios Nonino.” Exciting music here!
Adventure Music
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