West Coast saxophonist Kenny Polson shows his love for Brazilian music with this new release. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, he studied at Howard University. Polson spent several years living in Brazil, including five in the Ipanema neighborhood, and worked with some notable Brazilian musicians, including Marinho Boffa, trumpeter Paulinho Trompete, and the late composer/bassist Nico Assumpção. These musicians are on this recording, as are Rio-born percussionist Alejandro Lucini and bassist/arranger Leonardo Lucini, friends from his days at Howard University. These brothers contributed heavily to the popularity of Brazilian music in the Nation's capital. Also added to this project are Leni Stern, guitar and African nGnoni, L.A. harpist Mariea Antoinette adorns two tracks, and Dr. Osamu Kitajima and Mitsuki Dazai play Japanese koto on five cuts. These instruments create interesting textures.
Polson has recorded in an R&B flavored smooth jazz mode. On this CD, he brings that approach to his love of Brazilian music for a recording full of a tropical feel and his keen sax playing starting with the opening "Aquarela do Brazil (Colors of Brazil)," that many will know as "Brazil." Set against an emphatic beat, Leni Stern is also heard here soloing in addition to Polson's melodic embellishments and solo. Polson contributed a breezy funky samba, "Hipnotizado (Mesmerized)." It was recorded in Brazil with Mariea Antoinette's harp added in Los Angeles. This tune is his only original on a disc that focuses on Brazilian contributions. The performance reminds this listener of some of Spyro Gyra's recordings with his soaring alto sax at the front.
Of note is the rendition of the Ellington-Tizol jazz standard, "Caravan" with an outstanding Brazilian band that included Marinho Boffa on piano, Nico Assumpção on Bass, and Christian Oyens on Drums. Trombonist Victor Santos, pianist Boffa, and bassist Assumpção add some fire with their solos. Dr. Osamu Kitajima and Mitsuki Dazai add texture with the Japanese koto to "Flor de Lis (Lily Flower)" with the American rhythm section. The late Nico Assumpção composed "Mariana" as a tribute to his daughter. In addition to Polson's alto sax, it has an exhilarating bass solo from Assumpção.
Torinho Horta's light samba, "Passeio de Bicicleta (Bicycle Ride)," has some of Polson's loveliest soprano sax playing with an exquisite Brazilian rhythm section of guitarist Alessandre Carvalho, keyboardist Marinho Boffa, bassist Nico Assumpção, and drummer Christian Oyens. In contrast, "Incompatibilidade de Genios (Incompatibility of Geniuses)" is a livelier samba with a touch of funk. It has Leni Stern on nGnoni, a punchy horn section, and Azure McCall's horn-like scatting.
Polson is a most appealing saxophonist with his clean, lyrical playing and given sparkling backing on a wonderfully sounding salute to Brazilian music.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video for "Caravan."
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