BRAZILIAN TRIO - Forests (2008) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The Brazilian Trio consists of three Brazilian-born musicians who left their native land to expand their musical horizons in New York. Pianist Helio Alves has recorded extensively as a leader, while bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca make up two-thirds of the group Trio da Paz. The band is not a typical piano/bass/drums trio, but an interactive group with all members contributing to the arrangements. They explore gems by Milton Nascimento (including a shimmering, reflective rendition of "Tarde" and a driving romp through "Vera Cruz"), along with a breezy take of Ivan Lins' "Amor." Their originals, which make up half of the CD, are just as potent: Alves' sauntering samba "Ubatuba," and Matta's "Forests," which conveys both the beauty of Brazilian wilderness and the tense daily battle for survival among its inhabitants. Da Fonseca's easygoing, lyrical "Flying Over Rio" is also noteworthy. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist:
1    Amor 6:20
Ivan Lins
2    Forests 7:06
Nilson Matta
3     Samba Alegre 6:40
Hélio Alves
4    Montreux 6:22   
Hermeto Pascoal
5    Pro Zeca 7:08
Victor Assis Brasil
6    Tarde 5:50
Milton Nascimento
7    Ubatuba 6:27
Hélio Alves
8    Paraty 5:56
Nilson Matta
9    Flying Over Rio 3:37   
Duduka Da Fonseca
10    Vera Cruz 7:06
Milton Nascimento
Credits:
Bass – Nilson Matta
Drums – Duduka Da Fonseca
Piano – Helio Alves

BRAZILIAN TRIO - Constelação (2012) Mp3

The second album from these Brazilian veterans finds them using the piano/bass/drums format to great effect, with a light touch throughout (even the drum solo on "LVM/Direto Ao Assunto" is subtle). Pianist Helio Alves brings melody as assurance to a range of material, although Jobim accounts for three of the ten tracks here, letting everything glide with the smoothness of a Copacabana wave, while the others push and prod just enough to add meat underneath. "Luiza" is a standout, limpid and beautiful, the emotion coming through in every note. But this is an album that covers the spectrum of moods, from sadness to sparkling sunlight, as with the title cut, and the compositions from bandmembers stand tall next to those from more established figures. It's a highlight of Brazilian jazz. by Chris Nickson
Tracklist:
1    Constelação 6:20
Alfredo Cardim / Dee Dee McNeil
2    Bebe 5:47
Hélio Alves
3    Embalo 3:59
Tenorio Jr.
4    O Cantador 4:38
Dori Caymmi / Nelson Motta
5    Quebra Pedra 4:24
Antônio Carlos Jobim
6    LVM / Direto Ao Assunto 6:25
Nilson Matta
7    Luiza 5:33
Antônio Carlos Jobim
8    O Bôto 5:13
Jararaca / Antônio Carlos Jobim
9    Isabella 4:12
Duduka Da Fonseca
10    Bolivia 5:12
Cedar Walton
Credits:
Drums – Duduka Da Fonseca
Bass – Nilson Matta
Piano – Helio Alves