BADI ASSAD - Chameleon (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Badi Assad (bah-JEE ah-SAHJ) is very chameleon-like in her protean, changing character. On the fun, energetic opener "Rhythms of the World" Assad gives us worldbeat, acoustic guitar pieces with jazzy, almost scat-like vocals. Things are peaceful and serene for the instrumental (acoustic guitar, flute and percussion) "Butterfly." Lee Ritenour appears on guitar synthesizer for "Waves," while Assad, the multi-instrumentalist, syncopates a guitar pattern with her right hand and simultaneously performs a marimba solo with her left hand. For this piece, Assad provides breathy vocalizations and Portuguese vocals that recall Astrud Gilberto and some light bossa nova. The simple arrangements of guitar and vocals on her own "Ai Que Saudade d'Oce" and "Naked" are the most moving pieces here. Her delicate, expressive vocals and flamenco-tinged, acoustic guitar phrases are simply beautiful. Assad is sibling to the world music acoustic guitar pair Duo Assad. A fascinating showcase for her extraordinary ability is the rendition of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Finding new sadness and beauty in the piece, she performs an arrangement that includes bass and exotic percussion, including subtle chimes. Her elegant, lilting lyric and exquisite guitar work make for a truly winning combination on this peerless Brazilian album. by Tom Schulte
Tracklist :
1    Rhythms Of The World 6:15
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Backing Vocals – Andre Manga, Debby Holiday
Guitar – Jeff Scott Young
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
2    Butterfly 4:12
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Flute [Gold] – Viviana Guzman
Guitar – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
3    Waves 4:52
Acoustic Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Don Murray, Jeff Scott Young, Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Synthesizer – Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Vocals, Marimba – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Written-By – Badi Assad
4    Al Que Saudade D'ocê 4:00
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Carlinhos Antunes
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Written-By – Vital Farias
5    Naked 5:31
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
6    Naio Naio 5:23
Acoustic Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Backing Vocals – Andre Manga*, Debby Holiday
Didgeridoo – Steven Kent
Drums – Hilary Jones
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Mixed By [Assistant] – Jeff Shannon
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
7    Rain Trance 1:25
Acoustic Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young, Sérgio Assad
Cello – Stephanie Fife
Drums – Hilary Jones
Guitar – Badi Assad
Viola – Virginia Lee Frazier
Violin – Carolyn Osbourn
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
8    Waterfall 3:07
Acoustic Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Drums – Hilary Jones
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
9    Dolphins In The Blue Mist 3:06
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young, Sérgio Assad
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Written-By – Badi Assad
10    Ponta De Areia 4:00
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Written-By – Fernando Brant, Milton Nascimento
11    While My Guitar Gently Weeps 5:10
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young, Sérgio Assad
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Written-By – George Harrison
12    Flowing ... Into Formlessness 5:56
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Didgeridoo – Steven Kent
Flute [Wood] – Viviana Guzman
Guitar, Vocals, Djembe, Wind Chimes [Key Chimes], Voice [Wind] – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young