DIZZY GILLESPIE | LALO SCHIFRIN — Free Ride (1977-1993) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Lalo Schifrin is justifiably praised for his soundtrack work, many jazz purists turn up their noses at his jazz dates, such as his '60s work with Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery. The things that make Schifrin an anathema to the diehards -- the huge orchestras, the pop and soul riffs, the general air of over the top theatricality -- are all over 1977's Free Ride, his reunion date with Dizzy Gillespie. (Schifrin had been Gillespie's arranger in the late '50s.) In fact, Free Ride is so painfully dated that it's transformed into cockeyed cool, just the sort of record ironic hipsters should listen to while they're reading the novelizations of '70s cop shows that they bought for a bundle off of eBay. Gillespie plays with his usual wit and panache, but most of the time, he sounds like a sideman on his own album; the real focus of Schifrin's arrangements is the funky wah-wah guitars and ARP synthesizer solos that take center stage on tracks like "Fire Dance" (which sounds exactly like it should be the theme for a Charlie's Angels spinoff) and the mellow disco of the closing "Last Stroke of Midnight." Occasionally, Gillespie gets to break out on his own album, with the lovely solo on "Love Poem for Donna" his particular standout. For what it is, Free Ride is really quite good (guests include Lee Ritenour and future star Ray Parker, Jr.), but it's very much a record of and for its time. Stewart Mason  Tracklist + Credits :

LEE RITENOUR & DAVE GRUSIN - Amparo (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The careers of these two jazz legends have diverged wildly since they celebrated a lifetime of friendship and collaborations with their critically acclaimed, Grammy nominated classical excursion Two Worlds in 2000. While Ritenour has kept up a busy recording pace with gems like Smoke 'N' Mirrors and his all-star tribute productions A Twist of Marley and A Twist of Motown, Grusin was largely MIA from the original recording realm, popping up only briefly in 2004 with Now Playing: Movie Themes -- Solo Piano, featuring acoustic interpretations of his best film score pieces. No doubt Grusin's fans would still love a return to the pop/jazz realm, but there's no shortage of brilliance from either performer on their classical sequel Amparo, a worthy follow-up to the first project. On the original, they took a very traditional approach, exploring the works of Bach, Bartók, and Villa-Lobos, among others, but on Amparo, the greatest surprise is the wider ranging multi-culturalism. Grusin himself composed the hypnotic opening suite of "Three Latin American Dances," which roll from a spritely "Tango en Parque Central" to percussive and dramatic swings through "Danzon de Etiqueta" and "Joropo Peligroso." The lone holdover guest from the first project is opera great Renée Fleming, whose wordless transcendence blends magically with violinist Joshua Bell on a dreamy Gabriel Fauré piece. The duo then goes folky to pleasing effect on the graceful, charmingly lyrical and orchestra enhanced "English Folk Song Suite," which they cap with "Since I First Saw Your Face," a bright slice of 17th century English romance delivered sweetly by guest vocalist James Taylor. Before returning to tradition via the rich string arrangement on Ravel's "Mother Goose Suite," Grusin and Ritenour lovingly recall their mid-'80s Brazilian-influenced jazz project Harlequin by tapping into Jobim's passionate "Olha Maria (Amparo)" with the sweetening of Bell's violin. The thoughtful Rit original "Echos" is followed by two wonderful showcases for one of the 2000s most popular trumpeters, Chris Botti, who is perfectly at home bringing beauty and brilliance to "Adagio in G Minor" and Handel's lively "Rinaldo, Duetto," which he performs as a cheery, then pensive, then happy again narrative duet with Fleming's world-renowned vocal prowess. The sheer artistry of Amparo will make fans of all of the artists involved hope that the dynamic duo won't wait till 2016 before enchanting them again with this kind of welcome excursion. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
Three Latin American Dances   
1    I. Tango En Parque Central 4:39
Composed By – Dave Grusin
2    II. Danzon De Etiqueta 4:51
Composed By – Dave Grusin
3    III. Joropo Peligroso 6:19
Composed By – Dave Grusin
4    Pavane, Op. 50 5:51
Composed By – Gabriel Fauré
Soprano Vocals – Renée Fleming
Violin – Joshua Bell
5    English Folk Song Suite - My Bonny Boy 5:04
Composed By – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Percussion – Luis Conte
6    Since First I Saw Your Face 3:33
Composed By – Anonymous
Flute [Wooden] – Dan Higgins
Vocals – James Taylor
7    Olha Maria (Amparo) 4:37
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Violin – Joshua Bell
8    Ma Mère L'Oye (Mother Goose Suite) 4:50
Composed By – Maurice Ravel
9    Échos 5:56
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Luis Conte
10    Adagio In G Minor 5:37
Composed By – Tomaso Albinoni
Trumpet – Chris Botti
11    Duetto: Scherzano Sul Tuo Volto From "Rinaldo" 3:58
Composed By – George Frideric Handel
Soprano Vocals – Renée Fleming
Trumpet – Chris Botti
Credits :
Arranged By – Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour (faixas: 9)
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano – Dave Grusin

LEE RITENOUR & DAVE GRUSIN - Two Worlds (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Forging a unique creative relationship, Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin's mutual professional history extends back some two decades. Ritenour was a core artist on Grusin's label, GRP, throughout the 1980s and early '90s; in 1986, they first collaborated on the Grammy Award winning Harlequin, a critically-acclaimed, Brazilian-themed recording. Ritenour also appeared on many of the pianist/composer's film scores and solo recordings, and the two jammed together on GRP Super Live in 1987. Two Worlds, the classical-oriented labor of love that reunites the two legends, is more than simply a beautiful creative departure from their usual jazz-oriented projects. A blend of original compositions and respectful reworkings of timeless classics from Bach, Bartok, Villalobos, Mompov, and Segovia, the collection -- which features stellar guest performances by opera star Renee Fleming, violinist Gil Shaham, and cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber -- finds Ritenour and Grusin joyously reconnecting with their rich classical roots. Among the highlights are the lush, highly percussive Vivaldi/Bach piece "Bach Concerto, featuring a twenty-piece string section; "Bachianas Aria," a piece from Brazilian composer Villalobos, provides a showcase for opera diva Renee Fleming. As for the original compositions, there's the haunting, melodic "Elegia," which Grusin composed many years ago for his late father, a violinist, featuring Gil Shaham; "Lagrima (Lee's Prelude)," a graceful Ritenour original led by the classical guitar; "River's Song," Grusin's clever medley adaptation of the folk songs "The Water Is Wide" and "Shenandoah," featuring Fleming on vocals and "Canto," an Italian-styled "winter song" which Grusin originally wrote for a Ritenour project in the late '70s. Timeless yet contemporary, Two Worlds is beautiful reunion of these musical soul mates. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
Concerto for 4 harpsichords, strings & continuo in A minor (after Vivaldi, RV 580), BWV 1065    
1     1. Allegro 4:34
Johann Sebastian Bach
Transcription By – Dave Grusin
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, for voice & piano, A. 390    
2     Aria (Cantilena) 5:05
Heitor Villa-Lobos
Transcription By – Dave Grusin
Featuring, Soprano Vocals – Renée Fleming
Sonatina for guitar in A major    
3     2. Andante 4:32
Federico Moreno Torroba / Moreno Federi Larrega Torroba
Percussion – Luis Conte
Transcription By – Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour
Elegia, for 2 violins ("A Henri")    
4     Introduction and Epilogue from "Liebesleid" 3:22
Dave Grusin
Featuring, Violin – Gil Shaham, Ralph Morrison
Music By [Introduction & Epilogue from "Liebesleid"] – Fritz Kreisler
Suite Populaire Espagnole, for violin & piano (arr. from "Popular Spanish Songs" by Kochanski)    
5     3. Cancion 3:59
Manuel de Falla
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
6     Prelude for guitar No. 8 in A minor "Lágrima" 4:19
Lee Ritenour / Francisco Tárrega
7     River Songs (The Water Is Wide/Shenandoah) 7:01
Traditional
Adapted By (Text), Arranged By – Dave Grusin
Featuring, Soprano Vocals – Renée Fleming
Romanian Folk Dances (6) (Román népi táncok), for piano, Sz. 56, BB 68    
8     Stick Dance - Sash Dance - Stamping Dance - Horn Dance - Romanian Polka - Fast Dance 6:45
Béla Bartók
Transcription By – Dave Grusin
Featuring, Violin – Gil Shaham
Suite compostelana, for guitar    
9     3. Cuna 4:26
Federico Mompou
Transcription By – Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour
Suite Populaire Espagnole, for violin & piano (arr. from "Popular Spanish Songs" by Kochanski)    
10     1. El Pano Moruno 3:18
Manuel de Falla
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Alex Acuña
Featuring, Flute – James Walker
Sonata for flute & keyboard in E flat major, BWV 1031    
11     Siciliana 2:13
Johann Sebastian Bach
Featuring, Cello – Julian Lloyd Webber
Transcription By – Dave Grusin
12     Canto Invierno, for guitar & piano 3:59
Dave Grusin
Credits :
Adapted By [Strings], Arranged By [String] – Dave Grusin (faixas: 6, 9), Jorge Calandrelli (faixas: 6, 9)
Bass – Ed Meares
Cello – Cecilia Tsan, Christina Soule, Paula Hochhalter, Steve Erdody
Contractor [Orchestra] – Debbi Datz-Pyle, Patti Zimmitti, The Music Team
Viola – Carole Castillo, Carole Mukogawa, Carrie Holzman-Little, Jennie Hansen, Karen Elaine Bakunin, Keith Green, Mathew Funes, Renita Koven, Roland Kato, Scott Haupert, Victoria E. Miskolczy
Violin – Amy Hershberger, Clayton Haslop, Frances Moore, Gary Kuo, Henry Gronnier, Julie Gigante, Karen Jones, Kathleen Lenski, Lesa Terry, Leslie Katz, Liane Mautner, Lily Ho Chen, Lisa Sutton, Marc Sazer, Margaret Wooten, Mario DeLeon, Michelle Kim, Natalie Leggett, Phillip Levy, Rachel Purkin, Richard Altenbach, Roger Wilkie, Sara Parkins, Susan Rishik, Tamara Hatwan
Violin, Concertmaster – Margaret Batjer, Ralph Morrison

DAVE GRUSIN / LEE RITENOUR - Harlequin (1985) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Harlequin (Arlequim Desconhecido) 4:42
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
2    Early A.M. Attitude 4:59
Composed By – Dave Grusin
3    San Ysidro 4:59
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
4    Before It´s Too Late (Antes Que Seja Tarde) 5:18
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
5    Silent Message 6:09
Composed By – Dave Grusin
6    Cats Of Rio 5:18
Composed By – Don Grusin
7    Beyond The Storm (Depois Dos Temporais)     5:37
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
8    Grid-Lock 4:03
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
9    The Bird 5:48
Composed By – Harvey Mason, Mike Lang
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Carol Rogers (faixas: 1, 4), Marietta Waters (faixas: 1, 4), Regina Werneck (faixas: 1, 4)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (faixas: 5, 8), Jimmy Johnson (faixas: 1 to 4, 6, 7)
Drums – Carlos Vega (faixas: 1 to 4, 5, 6), Harvey Mason (faixas: 1, 4)
Guitar, Producer, Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Alex Acuña (faixas: 1, 8), Paulinho Da Costa
Piano, Keyboards – Dave Grusin
Programmed By [Drums] – Harvey Mason
Programmed By [Midi-piano] – Randy Goodrum
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Marcus Ryle
Vocals – Ivan Lins (faixas: 1, 4)

GATO BARBIERI - Ruby, Ruby (1977-2007) Verve Originals / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Charming and romantic fit the description of Gato Barbieri and the work he presents here, the album Ruby, Ruby. The production of the record, mastered and engineered handsomely by Herb Alpert, is very lush and beautiful to a lasting degree. Barbieri turns his first song, "Ruby," from an early-on haunting love ballad to an appealing and gripping all-out Latin jam session. This theme happens to find itself playing roles several times over throughout the record. The musicianship explored is captivating and adventurous, taking the listener on a passionate journey to whatever part of the soul he or she wishes to find or dares to pursue. A soaring sound at times, with Barbieri's splendid, racing saxophone melody lines. "Nostalgia" brings the delicate and eloquent guitar work of Lee Ritenour, who also takes part in the creation of "Sunride" and bits of "Ruby." As with most jazz records, percussion is responsible for playing a key role in the inception of the groove and depth of the material. Because of this album's Latin context, Barbieri does a wonderful job inspiring his friends in the rhythm section to come to life. Joe Clayton plays the textured conga on "Latin Reaction," and Lenny White leads a band of fellow passionate drummers, including Paulina da Costa, Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, and Bernard Purdie. The entire atmosphere of the record changes smoothly in texture and tempo, drifting like a channeling stream from subdued and slow to rampant and passionately loud. Certainly, Barbieri intended it to be a delight of the first degree in the Latin scene, and one listen should win the hearts and minds of the listener. Conjuring up romance and scenes of a starry night in Latin America, this music is the soul of Latin music at its peak in the late '70s. A soothing and ethereal delight, even considering its only weakness: the lack of words and lyrics. by Shawn M. Haney  
Tracklist :
1 Ruby 6:29
Written-By – Heinz Roemheld, Michael Parish
2 Nostalgia 5:25
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
3 Latin Reaction 4:58
Written-By – Marvin Gaye
4 Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing 5:45
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
5 Sunride 5:55
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
6 Adios 4:42
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
7 Blue Angel 5:46
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
8 Midnight Tango 4:27
Written-By – Herb Alpert
Credits :
Bass – Chuck Domanico (tracks: 7), Eddie Guagua (tracks: 6), Gary King
Congas – Joe Clayton (tracks: 3)
Contractor [Strings] – David Nadien
Drums – Bernard Purdie (tracks: 7), Lenny White, Steve Gadd (tracks: 5), Steve Jordan (tracks: 6)
French Horn – John Gale, Peter Gordon , Tom Malone
Guitar – David Spinozza, Joe Caro, Lee Ritenour (tracks: 1, 2, 5)
Keyboards – Eddy Martinez
Organ – Don Grolnick (tracks: 3)
Percussion – Cachete Maldonado, Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7), Portinho (tracks: 6)
Piano – Don Grolnick (tracks: 1)
Producer, Arranged By – Herb Alpert
Synthesizer – Ian Underwood (tracks: 2 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By – Gato Barbieri
Trombone – David Taylor, Paul Faulise, Wayne Andre
Trumpet – Herb Alpert (tracks: 2)
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Alen Rubin, Jon Faddis, Lou Soloff, Marvin Stamm

TOOTS THIELEMANS - The Brasil Project (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This popular set matches the brilliant harmonica player Toots Thielemans with such top Brazilian performers as Ivan Lins, Djavan, Oscar Castro-Neves, Dori Caymmi, Ricardo Silveira, João Bosco, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Luiz Bonfá, Edu Lobo and Eliane Elias, in addition to bassist Brian Bromberg, keyboardist Michael Lang, trumpeter Mark Isham and Dave Grusin. Thielemans is often in a supportive role behind the many soothing Brazilian singers and performers. The atmospheric date surprisingly does not have any Antonio Carlos Jobim songs, instead emphasizing lesser-known tunes (other than Toots' greatest hit "Bluesette"). Easily recommended to fans of Brazilian pop and jazz, this CD was soon followed by a second (and equally rewarding) set featuring many of the same performers. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Comecar de Novo 3:54
Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins
2     Obi 4:22
Djavan
3     Felicia and Bianca 2:59
Oscar Castro-Neves
4     O Cantador 4:09
Dori Caymmi / Nelson Motta
5     Joana Francesca 5:56
Chico Buarque
6     Coisa Feita 4:25
Aldir Blanc / João Bosco / Paulo Emilio
7     Preciso Aprender a So Ser 3:17
Gilberto Gil
8     Fruta Boa 5:41
Fernando Brant / Milton Nascimento
9     Coração Vagabundo 4:27
Caetano Veloso
10     Manha de Carnaval 3:27
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
11     Casa Forte 3:37
Edú Lobo
12     Moments 2:35
Eliane Elias
13     Bluesette 9:39
Norman Gimbel / Toots Thielemans
Credits :
Bass – Brian Bromberg, Jamil Joanes, Nico Assumpção
Contrabass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Teo Lima
Electric Guitar – Ricardo Silveira
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Harmonica – Toots Thielemans
Keyboards – Gilson Peranzzetta, Mike Lang
Percussion – Cassio Duarte, Paulinho Da Costa
Performer – Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Djavan, Dori Caymmi, Edu Lobo, Eliane Elias, Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, João Bosco, Luis Bonfá, Milton Nascimento
Piano – Dave Grusin
Producer, Performer – Oscar Castro-Neves
Trumpet – Mark Isham

TOOTS THIELEMANS - The Brasil Project, Vol. 2 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist, harmonica player, and whistler Toots Thielemans' followup to the critically acclaimed Brasil Project doesn't stray far from its predecessor's path. There are 13 nice Afro-Latin selections with Thielemans backing such top Brazilian vocalists as Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, Caetano Veloso, and Dori Caymmi, among others, and guitarists Oscar Castro-Nieves and Lee Ritenour assisting Thielemans with delicate shadings and accompaniment. by Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     Ce 5:30
Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins
2     Choro Bandido 3:36
Chico Buarque, Edu Lobo    
3     Retrato em Branco E Preto 3:19
Chico Buarque / Antônio Carlos Jobim
4     Obsession 3:34
Dori Caymmi / Tracy Mann / Gilson Peranzzetta
5     Travessia 3:05
Fernando Brant, Gene Lees, Milton Nascimento    
6     Flora 4:25
Gilberto Gil     
7     Unconditional Love 5:17
Oscar Castro-Neves
8     Papel Machê 2:59
Capinan, João Bosco    
9     O Futebol 3:36
Chico Buarque    
10     Linda (Voce È Linda) 3:48
Caetano Veloso    
11     Samba de Uma Nota So 3:22
Jon Hendricks / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
12     Oceano 5:21
Djavan    
13     Samba de Orfeu 3:36
Luiz Bonfá
Credits :
Bass – Brian Bromberg (faixas: 1, 4, 7, 13), Jamil Joanes (faixas: 5, 6), Marc Johnson  (faixas: 2, 3, 11), Nico Assumpção (faixas: 8)
Cello – Eugene Friesen (faixas: 2)
Drums – Steve Schaeffer (faixas: 3, 4, 9, 11), Teo Lima (faixas: 5, 6)
Electric Guitar – Ricardo Silveira (faixas: 9)
French Horn – John Clark (faixas: 11)
Guitar – Caetano Veloso (faixas: 10), Djavan (faixas: 12), Dori Caymmi (faixas: 4), Gilberto Gil (faixas: 6), João Bosco (faixas: 8), Oscar Castro-Neves (faixas: 1 to 5, 8, 9, 11, 13)
Guitar [Solo Guitar] – Lee Ritenour (faixas: 7), Luiz Bonfá (faixas: 13)
Harmonica – Toots Thielemans
Horn [Hornette] – John Clark (faixas: 3)
Keyboards – Gilson Peranzzetta (faixas: 5, 6, 13), Ivan Lins (faixas: 1), Mike Lang (faixas: 2, 4, 13)
Percussion – Bira Hawal (faixas: 13), Cassio Duarte (faixas: 6 to 9, 13), Paulinho Da Costa (faixas: 4), Zero (José Roberto) (faixas: 13)
Piano – Dave Grusin (faixas: 12), Eliane Elias (faixas: 3, 11)
Rhythm Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves (faixas: 7)
Trumpet – Mark Isham (faixas: 7)
Vocals – Caetano Veloso (faixas: 10), Chico Buarque (faixas: 9), Djavan (faixas: 12), Dori Caymmi (faixas: 4), Edu Lobo (faixas: 2), Gilberto Gil (faixas: 6), Ivan Lins (faixas: 1), João Bosco (faixas: 8), Milton Nascimento (faixas: 5)

BILL EVANS - Touch (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mixing laid-back melodies with go-for-broke jams with some of the greatest names in modern instrumental music, saxophonist Bill Evans lives in the middle ground between smooth jazz and what could easily be termed of as contemporary jazz fusion. On his Zebra Records debut, Touch, the distinction is based on each song's sense of adventure. "In Your Heart," for instance, is the kind of right in the pocket, sweet little slice of passion that radio drools over, made unique (as Evans does on all tunes) by switching off from the high tones of the soprano with the darker shades of tenor to better discuss the emotional complexities of love. Likewise there's the cool, urban-flavored "Remember," which features subtle vocal chanting floating off in the distance. But then there's the edgier side of Evans intertwining his soprano with Lew Soloff's staccato trumpet energy on the brisk blues of "Dixie Hop," and kicking up all sorts of dust on the last two tunes, "Back to the Walls" and the ten-minute "Country Mile." "Back to the Walls" blends both of Evans's axes with Soloff's trumpet, an African vocal chant, the insistent wah-wah guitar of Adam Rogers, and a jamming Memphis soul-inspired horn section featuring Soloff and trombonist Conrad Herving as the Voodoo Horns. by Jonathan Widran 

Tracklist:
1     Wild Ride     3:41
2     In Your Heart     4:46
3     Remembering     4:30
4     Dixie Hop     4:54
5     Girl By The Sea     5:20
6     Nashville Cowboys     4:01
7     Touch     5:00
8     Little Hands     4:44
9     Skippin'     4:46
10     BackTo The Walls     5:30
11     Country Mile     10:32
Credits:
Acoustic Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Tim Lefebvre
Bass – Mark Egan, Victor Bailey
Drum Programming – Michael Colina, Zach Danziger
Drums – Lionel Cordew, Vinnie Colaiuta
Grand Piano – Jim Beard
Grand Piano, Keyboards [Additional] – Henry Hey
Guitar – Adam Rogers, Chuck Loeb, Dean Brown, Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Producer, Written-By, Arranged By – Bill Evans
Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Keyboards – Bill Evans
Trombone – Conrad Herwig
Trumpet – Lew Soloff, Wallace Roney
Vocals – Lani Groves, Philip Hamilton

PAULINHO DA COSTA – Agora (1977-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Brazilian-born percussionist Paulinho Da Costa's first album as a leader is very much an album of its era, for good and bad. Da Costa is the preeminent Brazilian percussionist of his time, and his kinetic grooves, built on a variety of traditional Afro-Cuban percussion instruments, power these six lengthy workouts. Indeed, on the hypnotic "Terra," his percussion is nearly the only instrument. However, the rest of this album tends toward standard mid-'70s jazz-funk. As a result, the album sounds terribly dated, all wah-wah guitar, Fender Rhodes electric piano, and ARP synthesizer. On the other hand, this is not necessarily a bad thing, especially for those into camp '70s nostalgia. More to the point, as camp '70s nostalgia goes, this is really quite good! Da Costa and his primary writing partner, arranger Claudio Slon, turn out to be masters at creating percolating jazz-funk grooves with the melodic savvy of the best Brazilian pop, for a best of both worlds feel. On both the sweet bossa nova disco of "Toledo Bagel" and the carnival-style percussion and chanting of the closing "Ritmo Number One," Da Costa and his group (featuring special guests like Greg Phillinganes and Lee Ritenour, for the full mid-'70s fusion experience) are entirely at ease, loose and funky but still entirely slick. Those phobic to memories of avocado shag carpeting will want to avoid Agora, but it's worth checking out for both hipster ironists and Brazilian jazz fans. Stewart Mason     Tracklist + Credits :