Pianist and composer Adolfo Mendonca puts together and album that proves that although Brazilian jazz may have begun with Antonio Jobim, it did not end there. He brings together elements of the bossa nova giant with many ideas and works of his own, teamed with a core of Alejandro Arenas/b, Mark Feinman/dr and mix and match guest list of Randy Brecker/tp, Ona Kirei-Athur Garido-Tammy Scheffer/voc, James Dreier/dr and Luiz Oliveira/g
On the more traditional side, Ona Kirei glides with Arenas on a lilting duet intro to “Dindi” before the band glides in and Mendonca assuages the melody with his ivories. Mendonca is clean and clear over Feinman’s brushes and around Arenas’ featured solo on “Desifinado” while a read of Kurt Cobain’s “In Bloom” has some upbeat rockish guitar supplied by Oliveria teamed with the leader on keyboards.
The band brings a gospel feel to the pulsating “Plush”, whereas on Mendonca’s own material Brecker is soft and fluffy on the dreamy “Ponta da Praia” and Tammy Scheffer blends with Arthur Garrido on a well grooved and soulful “Brazilian Childhood”. Two takes of “Iowa Winter Sky” feature Ona Kirei’s dreamy voice in a romantic and ethereal atmosphere, whereas an alternate version lets Mendonca and Arenas carry the mood. Mendonca’s touch on the keyboards gives hints of soul/jazz icon Joe Sample, and his acoustic tone is as warm and soft as a veteran catcher’s mitt. In the tradition without sounding traditional.