Trio Da Paz 30

Trio Da Paz
30
Zoho Music

The Brazilians comprising Trio Da Paz (Romero Lubambo (Acoustic & Electric Guitars), Nilson Matta (Acoustic Bass), and Duduka Da Fonseca (Drums)) first came together three decades ago, accounting for the title of their new album "30." In the ensuing three decades they have developed into a dazzling ensemble as the incorporate elements of samba and bossa nova with bebop, and other sounds that is on display on the ten performances here, nine of which were penned by members of the trio.

Matta's brisk "Sampa 67" (named after his home town of Såo Paolo) gives all three a chance to display not only the interplay between them, but their marvelous instrumental skills with the composer's own solos followed by sizzling exchanges between Lubambo gypsy-accented guitar and Da Fonseca's propulsive percussion. The afoxé rhythms on Lubambo's bright "For Donato" (for pianist Joåo Donato) lends a invigorating feel along with the writer's own fleet playing mixing single note runs with series of chords while Da Fonseca brilliantly adds color and Matta provides a steady foundation for the trio. Da Fonseca uses brushes for the breezy, and romantic rendition of "Autumn," Lubambo's bossa nova.

There is plenty of charm in De Fonseca's "Alana" (named after his daughter, with the trio's nimble and buoyant handling of the tempo changes, while Lubambo's "Luisa," named after his daughter, has a sedate lilt in its 3/4 tempo. The breakneck tempo of Baden Powell's "Samba Trieste," belies the title on this spirited performance. Plenty of thought went in sequencing the tunes here as shown by Matta's charming ballad "Åguas Brasileiras" following. The exhilarating "Sweeping the Chimney" (by Lubambo) was inspired by workers at De Fonseca's home, and the composer's fretwork dazzles again while De Fonseca's peppery use on brushes lends the feel of someone playing shakers. De Fonseca's "Flying Over Rio" is another lovely bossa nova.

The closing "LVM/ Direto AO Assunto," opens in a reflective fashion with Matta's solo bridging the performances torrid close, again display the virtuosity of the three and the empathy they have for each other. it is an exciting conclusion to this superb album.


I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared originally in the March-April 2016 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 365). Here from 2007 they perform "Wave."