Bebel Gilberto Scores Impressive Return With Agora

Image courtesy of theartsdesk.com

After suffering the loss of both of her parents, coupled with delaying the release of Bebel Gilberto’s first album since 2014 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the wait was worth it.

The album covered, translated meaning simply “Now” conveyed many different emotions throughout the 11 tracks totaling nearly 40 minutes. Similar to new wave artists in Erasure and The Psychedelic Furs along with the fun rock from Chrissy Hynde and The Pretenders, this album from Bebel would have been great maybe 10 to 20 years ago.

It is that good.

My favorite songs include the title track, which I think might make for an awesome opening to your favorite serial drama in the veins of Mad Men or perhaps one of those spine tingling thriller series seen on Netflix or Hulu.

Her early single, “Cliche” (Track 3) is a nice number if you are on the road at night, just waiting for the miles to pass on the interstate in the hopes to lay your head on a hotel pillow and call it a night.

Meanwhile Track 6, “Na Cara” (translated “In The Face”) was an awesome duet when she sang alongside Mart’nalia and towards the end of Track 10 with “O Que Nao Foi Dito” (“What Was Not Said”) was a number that I could see play out in some romantic movie just as the woman slowly grabs a glass of wine and the guy unloosens his tie before one of the most non-socially distanced things humans usually enjoy doing–and that is kiss.

Sure, there are plenty of other online reviews dissecting every second of each track. This was the best way I could summarize what is truly a keeper. And if you felt like putting Bebel on some type of literal pedestal, she is definitely in the conversation–alongside her father Joao, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sergio Mendes, and Marisa Monte.

It is available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and other streaming music players and also physically in CD and vinyl on Amazon, eBay, and importcds.com.

Overall, it is an album worthy of adding to your jazz collection.

Alexia Bomtempo Featured in Daredaze Podcast

Talked on Variety of Subjects Worth A Listen

What a pleasant surprise to see come across my inbox, which is definitely worth sharing amidst this unrelenting COVID-19 thing (and yes, I consider this invisible enemy as such.)

Considering what has transpired since the release of her album Syspiro of which I discussed a bit early on in this pandemic, it definitely brought on some interesting storylines.

I talked about this in a prior blog worth checking out:

https://bigzbossanovabeat.wordpress.com/2020/04/24/alexia-bomtempo-honors-her-roots/.

After hearing the podcast done by New York City artist and photographer named Dasha Dare, this definitely provides how one artist is trying her best to only not survive in hopefully not joining the millions of people worldwide in contacting COVID-19 in any form, but thriving with being creative and always staying persistent–all the while with the hope that someday down the road, concerts and festivals of many types will return (even though this pandemic means that many longtime venues have been or will be forced to shut their doors.)

With that in mind, I briefly mentioned in a blog on July 25, I will be in the process of asking several other jazz and some indie pop/rock artists one open-ended question.

Sure, it is on many people’s minds–but I will be most curious about their thoughts not just when they hit the road, but for general health reasons in the hopes that fans will be invited back sometime in the future. There will be that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel–however long and dark tunnel has been since March 12. The question is not how it will happen, but when.

In my case, you will get some more blogs here to enjoy and more artists to explore on the same streaming media that you will find her podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, and other popular players.

Thank you again for reading, and remember that comments on this or any of my past blogs are always welcome.

Please make this a great day, or in the case for those of you reading in Europe, have yourself a great evening.

Artist Worth Checking Out: Lisa Ono Says Feliz Natal

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Born July 29, 1962 in Sao Paolo, Lisa Ono splits her time between Brazil and her family’s homeland in Japan.

By the time she turned 15, she began to learn to play the guitar.  Nearly a dozen albums later (with Dream and Pretty World being the big sellers), my first entry of the Brazilian Christmas CD selections is a spiffy pop entry, especially getting to hear and read the Japanese lyrics.

Albeit it took me two years and half a world to find my copy (some bookstore in Germany fortunately had a copy back in June 2015 at a reasonable price), please don’t be taken aback by her English singing.  I found that each song she sings features very light tones throughout the acoustic guitars on each carol.  It is quite the opposite with the more dramatic orchestral effects heard on the wildly popular Amy Grant album Home For Christmas which was released the year before Boas Festas.

From “Winter Wonderland” to “Let It Snow”, “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Paz Azul” (which almost sounds lyrically like the lullaby song moms sing to their kids before tucking them to bed each night), this album labelled as a Winter Bossa album definitely ranks right up there with Halie Loren’s cool album, Lori Meachem’s near duplication of the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s  A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack and the Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66 number on “The Christmas Song”.

The album is very pleasant and an excellent listen, definitely feels like a nice album to unwind to after a long day of baking your favorite holiday treats.  This album is also definite holiday party material if the crowd does not feel like really going all out and just letting things stay chilled through the night.

And yes, she has continued to do more Brazilian albums even while raising two children of her own.  Wikipedia has her credited with doing 22 albums to date, the last one during the first full year after the financial recession in 2009 featuring  jazz standards from both Rio and Los Angeles.

Next week, you will get to read a two-fer from the same artist.  Vinnie Zummo did his holiday compilations over a decade apart.  I will note the key similarities and differences from each album once I get a bit of time separate from the hectic times currently taking place with my other blog in covering NCAA men’s college basketball.
Enjoy your weekend, and please try to pick up a copy online of this holiday album when you get the chance.

Master Composers: Nicola Conte brings on many singers as Free Souls amps up the Wow Factor

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Nicola Conte brought some serious singers on his 2014 album that took five years to produce in Italy.

The likes of Bridgette Amofah, Melanie Charles, Marvin Parks, Jose James, Heidi Vogel, and Tasha’s World (not related to any adult film website) make this album excellent for late night listening or pleasant dinner party conversation.

The first three tracks are first rate, from “Shades of Joy” to the many female background singers listed above along with Kim Sanders doing a superb rendition of “Goddess of The Sea.”  The title track is also an excellent listen.  I wonder also if Bridget had that certain baseball team which resides in the American League Eastern Division and surprised everyone in upsetting the heavily favored New York Yankees to reach the postseason in 2014.  But the song, “Baltimore Oriole” instead talked about the famous bird that you see smiling on their caps and uniforms for many games at Camden Yards.

The other songs offer a decent, melodic pace throughout.  I give this album five stars.

Even as we remember those who lost their lives in that senseless tragedy in Paris, some excellent news for a special fan of this blog

Fabiana Passoni does it again.  She received a special Lifetime Achievement Award in Brazil on Saturday.  I am sure if you follow her on social media, there are lots of cool pics including one shot of her barefoot posing on a row of red clay bricks.

She is back in her homeland as she recorded another single.  More details on when it will be released at a later date.  I wonder if she composed a special song dedicated to the 2016 Summer Olympics?

Next week will be final regular blog review before the annual quartet of holiday reviews as Eliane Elias continues to shine on the Brazilian jazz music scene.  See you all later in the week.

Master Composers: Kenny G brings his powerful sax to Brazilian jazz for an impressive debut album

Known mostly for his superior soprano sounds on the saxophone, Kenny G’s first foray into Brazilian jazz called on him doing mostly tenor and alto numbers.  He cited in one YouTube interview his three biggest inspirations were Stan Getz, Cannonball Adderley, and Paul Desmond (who was famous for helping orchestrate Dave Brubeck’s 1962 smooth jazz classic, “Take Five”).

Image courtesy of getmusicasia.com

Born as Kenneth Bruce Gorelick on June 5, 1956 in Seattle, he is the best selling instrumental artist in this time.

After dabbling for nearly nine years with different jazz bands, Kenny G went solo in 1982 by signing on with Arista Records.

Fast forward through the 17 albums, including the most successful holiday album ever with Miracles:  The Holiday Album back in 1994, but his first foray into Brazilian jazz was definitely an eye opener when this album was released to the public on January 27, 2015.

Taking the classic “Corcovado” tune on Track 2 and “The Girl from Impanema” on Track 9 is like getting the popcorn maker to work properly and putting up your feet to watch a cool movie.  Also worth a listen are Tracks 3 and 4, the fast paced “Bossa Real” and the slower, more methodical pace of the title track.

Throughout the ten tracks, each song is Kenny G at his purest and his best.  It definitely is one hot album, but longtime fans may be taken aback by how he had to abandon his signature notes in favor of doing something different.

There is also a deluxe version with four live tracks featuring the songs of, “Loving You” (different lyrics than what Fabiana Passoni gave us), “G Bop”, “Forever In Love”, and “Heart and Soul.”

Definitely a worthy addition to anyone’s smooth jazz collection.  Both versions are available online wherever CD’s are sold.

Next week, I will continue my brief foray into some of 2015’s best works by veteran jazz artists with Nicola Conte.  We may know him simply as the Italian man famous for “Bossa Per Due”, but he has really turned his game up several notches back in the spring and really opened up my eyes and ears to some very pleasant sounds.

But not to be outdone, the week of November 15 will feature Eliane Elias and her latest work.  Enjoy your weekend, as it appears Extended Indian Summer is finally going to come to an end for most of the northern United States.  At least, it was nice to go outside and see absolutely no bugs for a chance in spite of the simple fact that all outdoor yard work had to end a full hour before your network news hits the air.

Artists Worth Checking Out: Brazilian Architecture Is A Sure Treat

No tricks, just lots of really cool Brazilian jazz to enjoy any time of year

Image courtesy of allmusic.com

My album of the week pick just in time for Halloween is a sure-fire treat from November 5, 1991.

Just two days before Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson announced to the world that he was HIV positive, the Lindberg Hemmer Foundation must have had one of the Los Angeles Lakers primary team colors firmly in mind.  The disk is embossed mostly in gold.  But the best part, you don’t have to fork over the same amount for Tiffany & Co. designer jewelry in time for Christmas just so you can pair this album with Les Hommes’ The Mood is Modal (another past subject you can revisit from one of my prior blogs, just fyi).

All we know about the band is that they combined simple jazz arrangements with key electronic Minimoogs, bass, other Wurlitzer instruments, and some percussion.

Each member of the band is profiled in a one inch B&W pic, led by Keld Ipsen on trombone, Soren Runge on keyboard, Klavs Norso on percussion, Jens Runge on the choir, Ben Besiakov on the electric piano, Anders Gardmand covered the flute, and Regin Fuhlendorf performed effortlessly on the guitar.

Doing the backup vocals on a few of the songs were Marie Carmen Koppel (no relation to the longtime former ABC News Nightline lead anchor Ted Koppel) and Louise Nordby.  They went under the cleverly designed label simply called Crazy Nation.

Hence, before you put on the “Monster Mash” or the Ghostbusters theme, put this album on as you divvy up those chocolate covered treats for the good little ghouls and goblins that will probably end up rotting most of their teeth before they go back well rested on Monday morning.

But that’s not really my point.

The point I am trying to make is that this CD is a great party album.  Track 3 is an immediate winner in my book with “Manzonetti”, and close behind for a cool number as well is both Track 6, “Madras” and Track 8, “Just Another Party at Tony’s Beach.”

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As 2015 prepares to draw to a close in the final weeks, I thought November would be a great time to review three albums that were released during this past year and managed to get mostly rave reviews from many in the music community.

Before the American Thanksgiving holiday towards the end of the month, you will find in either your inboxes or just a thumb’s tap away on your smartphones these reviews:

Week of November 2, Kenny G lends his soulful sax in the Brazilian way for the first time in his storied career.

Week of November 9, Italy’s Nicola Conte brings on 13 neat tracks with Free Souls.

Week of November 16, Eliane Elias dons a rather tropical dress as if she was auditioning to be the first fully clothed subject for the March 2016 issue of Playboy Magazine.  The veteran singer/songwriter does some neat versions of Gal Costa (“Aquarela do Brasil”), everyone’s favorite springtime song thanks to Astrud Gilberto (“Waters of March”) and another longtime favorite tune of “Vida” (“If Not You”) among the 12 tracks included there.

And if I get a brief moment from preparing my residence for the annual big turkey dinner, I will try to give the fans an Olympic update that Monday or Tuesday before the holiday break.

The only major news of note from October was the hiring of longtime San Antonio Spurs and multiple NBA champion head coach Gregg Popovich, as he will be taking over the reins of Team USA Olympic basketball from Duke’s legend in Mike Krzyzewski after the 2016 Rio Olympics conclude next August.

Artists Worth Checking Out: Mark Sganga’s Guitar Amps Up The Cool Factor

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Hailing from New Jersey, this longtime guitarist would definitely be a welcome addition if you wish to take a break from salsa dancing (you know who you are;) or watching America’s favorite baseball team advance in the playoffs like the Chicago Cubs did in dramatic fashion shutting out Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.

Although the same cover on the back of the liner notes from this late 2000’s album appears as the permanent background on the back partition of the jewel case, please do not let it deter you from the music that this music definitely conjures up one image–and that is to party.

Let your hair down and kindly kick off those heels, ladies–your feet need a much deserved break after hearing the appropriate lyrics on Track 2, “Rio Carnival”.  I bet someone working in tourism or the travel industry is probably getting a hold on this and maybe adding this song to the 2016 Rio Olympics playlist.

Another song to check out is “Afterglow” on Track 7, very steady and subtle beats throughout the entire nearly four minute track.

The pace is mostly slow and methodical until Track 9, and then you get the feeling that an auto race is ready to break out as the green flag flies for “Chusen Kala Mazeltov”.  Even a delectable dessert makes a clever song title on the final track with “Lemon Merengue.”

Mark keeps up a social media presence on both his website and Facebook if you wish to learn more about his teaching music at a New Jersey college.  This is definitely an artist who should be worth keeping on your virtual radar screens to see what comes next.  An excellent album, great for parties or just relaxing after a long, hectic day.  Like most albums in this blog, I give Sganganova one of my highest ratings.

Next week, it is off to Lipstick City USA and no, I am not talking about the Rembrandts on the mound in National League Cy Young candidates Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  I will be heading virtually up the coast and drifting off the beaten path towards California Wine Country and the picture postcard musical journey taken by Bill Cunliffe on his trip to Brazil in 1995.

Enjoy your weekend.  And yes, as promised–I have a really cool Olympic update to share.  For those people residing in Brazil, please pay special attention to the last part of the above blog for some key information.

Artists Worth Checking Out: Kerry Linder Brings On Many Relaxing Sounds

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Growing up in the Netherlands Antilles on the island of Curaçao, Kerry is a key figure on the New York City jazz scene.

Her 2004 debut album, Sail Away With Me features very calm and nice versions of late 1950’s/early 1960’s samba songs.

The liner notes explain in her own words some of the reasons why she chose the songs.  With Mauro Refosco on percussion and Paulo Andre Tavares on guitar, the songs take on a refreshing, yet soothing vibe.  No two songs are alike in pace or rhythm, but that is part of the fun of hearing this album.

Rather than bore you with sounding off on her key thoughts from each track, my basic thoughts tell me one thing that this is indeed my favorite season of the year:

Nice pic distraction, don’t you think?
Image courtesy of my own personal collection

The songs bring about a relaxed, not rushed pace.  Kerry’s voice switches from Portuguese to English and back almost as easily as a hand trying on a new glove.

My favorite songs include not only the title track but “St. Judy’s Comet” on Track 5 and the three minute scat number with a simple closing remark, “That’s All.”

Overall, this is a very nice CD to have in your car or welcome in guests for a relaxing night with friends.

For those that are inclined to have a little extra fun, it is time to grab your favorite apple cider drink and start kicking around some newly fallen leaves on your way to your favorite orchards and take in the autumn season.

As we have often found out especially in the northern half of the United States, autumn only lasts for a few days and Mother Nature greets us with a extended bout of winter cold.  Hopefully, today will be the start of some very decent weather days to come.

More good profiles to come during October, and there might be another Olympic update as well.  Hope to see you all then, please take care of yourselves.

Artist Worth Checking Out: De-Phazz Brings More Than The “It” Factor

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By combining Latin rhythms with soul, trip hop, and some modern turntablism, you get some very groovy lounge sounds that might at first glance could sound like the opening credits to some spy movie or seeing that next sleek car ad on a darkened, deserted highway during the second quarter of that February’s Super Bowl.

Nevertheless, even with its’ rather quirky cover seen here from the 1999 album Godsdog, De-Phazz  did deliver with one very cool hit song.

Distributed by Intergroove of Germany under the Mole Listening Pearls label, even the multi-fold liner notes all decked in burgundy definitely entice the listener with very subtle and romantic statements such as:

…Transferring information from one point to another.

Visions came along too strong and drugs just seem too weak.

MMH, somebody bring the spirit back.

Next message!”

The vocals were split up on many songs, including the soulful rendition of “Jazz Music” from Karl Frierson.  Charity D. Sanders lends her soothing vocals on Track 5, “Zero Zero”.

However, that pales in comparison to the stellar vocals done on Track 6, simply titled “Happiness”.  Pat Appleton’s clever used of words especially in the main chorus emphasizing the connection with the word “misery” draws the listener to hear more, and hear it again in many places.  Also, check out the subtle keyboards from Otto Engelhardt.  He also chimes in on the trombone on nearly every other track on the entire album.

So, if you are hearing it at home entertaining friends or family, or in your car on your way to catching some much-needed sales at your favorite shopping mall or outlet center, this album is definitely worth purchasing online.  Plenty of copies are available where-ever albums are sold.

Track 7 mostly takes you onto the set of your favorite sci-fi television series with the slow, pulsating beats and an announcer guy mentioning things about “I’d do anything for you” as the woman wonders what presuming is her husband/boyfriend wondering about the trivial pursuits of this complex game called life.  Also, there are some cuss words mentioned on that track, so be careful when listening to parts of that particular track.

The rest of the album takes on a very slow and methodical pace.  I would recommend Track 16, “Anchorless” and Track 12, “Havana Moon” as good alternative selections.

Since their second album, they have gone on to produce nine more albums.  According to their Wikipedia page, the group has mostly branched out to doing mostly sample-driven jazz performed by the likes of The Cinematic Orchestra and Amon Tobin, a Brazilian composer of electronic music who also is a producer.

Hope everyone has both a nice and safe Labor Day holiday weekend in the United States.  And I would not be remiss to wish all of my MPB’s and their families a Happy Brazilian Independence Day on Monday as well.

Hopefully, this last fling of summer mugginess will head south of the Equator soon so I can continue posting relaxing sounds for fall.  Nevertheless, more cool CD reviews will be hitting your inbox faster than you cook up your favorite chicken or pork dish.

And yes, there might be a few more Olympic updates sprinkled in for your reading pleasure.  A big update from earlier in the week is below for your convenience.

Enjoy the holiday weekend.  Hope to see you all again next week.

Compilation Pick: First Volume of Many In Bossa Now! Series Became Rousing Success

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Released on June 26, 2008 under the NuGroove Records/Point South label, this compilation was the start of several bossa themed versions where many popular jazz artists combined their unique talents and came up with this cute gem of an album.

The song that ignited my passion and started my love affair for Brazilian jazz leads it off with Marcela Mangabeira’s memorable ballad of “Para Ti.”  After that, only three of the remaining 11 tracks last just over three minutes each.

Roberto Menescal contributes mightily in this album with four entries, but only one as a solo artist (“Influencia do Jazz” on Track 2).  He also teams up with his trio on their version of the megapopular hit song “Mas Que Nada” on Track 3, along with the remix to “Swingueira” on Track 7, and Wanda Sa joins him on Track 8 with “Tem Do.”

Another cool song to check out is on Track 4, “Ela E Carioca” by Os Cariocas.  Definitely something to savor as the ladies walk by mostly without a care in the world, except to remember that they apply adequate sunscreen so they wouldn’t get any type of burns or even worse.  Leny Andrade’s soulful version of “Rio” closes out this compilation.

Future versions of this series also included tunes in bossa form in the version originally penned by Burt Bacharach and Stevie Wonder.

During the final week of September, I will be highlighting one of my all-time favorite artists in the world of smooth jazz as I explore Volume 7 with Gervaso Silva taking a true spin as the “Smooth Operator” tackling the fun songs done originally in the middle 1980’s by Sade.

In the meantime, a song that should put every one of us in a very good mood will be my album selection next week.  The group’s name is De-Phazz and their 1999 lounge album simply called Godsdog has one really memorable track that will have you singing the chorus for years to come.
But there is one small catch–please do not be at all fooled by the album cover.

You will find out when September begins.  Hope to see you all then.