Albare - Plays Jobim Vol. 2

Albare -  Plays Jobim Vol. 2 - Alfi Records

This CD is the second volume by the guitarist Albare devoted to the legendary father of bossa nova, Antonio Carlos Jobim. Like the first volume, there are ten renditions of Jobim's signature songs along with the classic "Summer Samba." Albare co-produced this with Phil Turcio, who did the mixing and mastering. Like the first volume, Joe Chindamo is on piano. Chindamo also made all the arrangements and conducted the orchestra. Ricardo 'Ricky' Rodriguez is on bass again, while Pablo Bencid is on drums on most of this recording, and Luisito Quintero is on percussion. Antonio Sanchez plays drums on two songs, Nestor Torres plays the flute for two, and Randy Brecker plays trumpet on two selections.

Reviewing Albare's earlier volume of Jobim's music, I wrote, "Albare is a romanticist as a guitarist, with his guitar (whether electric or acoustic) in a melodic and lyrical mode. His single-note playing sings the lyrics while adding with genial embellishments to the melody while provided with a light, subtle backing." Like the earlier recording, strings provide a lush, breezy feel for "Dindi," "Summer Samba," "Girl From Ipanema," and "So Dança Samba." Nestor Torres' flute adds a nice touch to "Summer Samba," while Randy Brecker's bright trumpet adds some heat to "So Dança Samba," which also sports an appealing guitar solo. Torres' also adds color to Albare's treatment of "How Insensitive," as does Brecker' again enlivens's muted trumpet on "Favela." Albare's picking lends a poignant case to "A Felicidad" and a reflective interpretation of "Trieste." The album closes with the calming, relaxed "Meditation."

Like the prior Jobim tribute, these are relaxed performances where Albare plays with a deft touch. The resulting music is another easy to listen to recording full of charm that captures Jobim's music's beauty.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is "How Insensitive" from this album.

Albare Plays Jobim

Albare
Plays Jobim
Alfi Records

Twenty-five years have passed since the death of Antonio Carlos Jobim. The guitarist Albare pays tribute to the legendary father of bossa nova with renditions of nine of Jobim's signature songs along with classic "Brazil." Produced by Phil Turcio, Albare is accompanied by Joe Chindamo on piano, Antonio Sanchez on drums, and Ricardo 'Ricky' Rodriguez on bass. Chindamo also wrote the string arrangements and conducted the strings.

Albare is a romanticist as a guitarist, with his guitar (whether electric or acoustic) in a melodic and lyrical mode. His single-note runs sing the lyrics while adding with genial embellishments to the melody while provided a light, subtle backing. The strings add to the lush, relaxed mood of the renditions of such numbers as "Corcovado," "Chega De Saudade," "Desafinado," "Água de Beber," "Áquas de Março," and "Wave."

Admittedly, this is easy to listen to instrumental music. Still, Albare, with his deliberate and deft touch and lovely tone, has produced a tribute to Jobim that is full of charm and captures the beauty of the songs Jobim left us.

I received my review copy from a publicist.

César Orozco No Limits For Tumbao

The music of Cuban/Venezuelan pianist, composer, music producer, and arranger César Orozco involves an original fusion between Venezuelan and Cuban traditional music with jazz. In his notes to his new CD with Karamata Jazz, "No Limits For Tumbao" (Alfi Records), he states "that 'Tumbao' is for Latin music what the swing is for Jazz. On the present recording his piano and keyboards are supported by Rodner Padilla on electric bass, Francisco Vielma on percussion, and Euro Zambrano on drums with appearances by Paquito D'Rivera, Yosvany Terry, Pedrito Martinez, Gary Thomas and others.

As might be expected, this is music of great spirit and depth, full of exhilaration and beauty. The opening title track showcases the leader's marvelous piano (both acoustic and electric), soprano saxophone from Terry, and the crackling percussion. The Afro-Cuban flavor of that track is followed by "La Rumba Esta Buena" featuring the dramatic singing of Pedrito Martinez along with the leader's precise, yet passionate playing. "Yobo" is a marvelous jazz piano performance with the leader's appealing lyricism. Gary Thomas' tenor sax (and he takes a husky solo) and Linda Briceño's trumpet add spice to the rhythms of "Vladitimba."

Linda Briceño provides the charming vocal on "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square," with the leader effective applying the electric piano's tonality. It is another excellent performance on the varied and stimulating music heard on "No Limits For Tumbao," which will particularly delight fans of Latin jazz.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the November-December 2015 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 363). Here is César Orozco & Karamata Jazz in performance.