JOÃO DONATO — A Bad Donato -João Donato's Psychedelic Funky Experience (1970-2004) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

João Donato, né en 1934, pianiste et compositeur, mais également arrangeur et chef d'orchestre. Dans les années 70, il vivait à Los Angeles. La Bossa Nova passée de mode, le label américain Blue Thumb Records lui offrit la possibilité de réaliser l'album de son choix tout en s'inspirant des sonorités électriques en vogue à l'époque. Il découvre les claviers électriques, en particulier le Fender Rhodes, véritable jouet entre ses mains qu'il va dompter et façonner pour en extraire la substantifique moelle qu'est A Bad Donato (1970). Aux frontières du Funk, de la Pop Psychédélique et du Jazz Fusion, A Bad Donato est une oeuvre expérimentale délicieusement groovie qui garde toujours sa fraîcheur et sa spontanéité 45 ans plus tard. Un album "déganté" réalisé "sérieusement" grâce à la participation de musiciens de Jazz exceptionnels comme Bud Shank, Dom Um Romao e Oscar Castro Neves et des arrangements en collaboration avec Eumir Deodato. "The Frog" entendu maintes fois comme générique d'émissions radio restera bien ancré dans mon inconscient comme un objet intemporel. A Bad Donato est au 76ème rang du classement Rolling Stone des 100 meilleurs albums de la musique brésilienne. Dominique Deret
Tracklist :
1.    The Frog 2:37
Written-By – João Donato
2.    Celestial Showers 2:36
Written-By – João Donato
3.    Bambu 2:20
Written-By – João Donato
4.    Lunar Tune 4:55
Written-By – João Donato
5.    Cadê Jodel? = The Beautiful One 2:07
Written-By – João Donato
6.    Debutante's Ball 3:00
Written-By – João Donato
7.    Straight Jacket 3:27
Written-By – João Donato
8.    Mosquito = Fly 2:59
Written-By – João Donato
9.    Almas Irmãs 1:53
Written-By – João Donato
10.    Malandro 2:31
Written-By – João Donato
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Arranged By – Eumir Deodato, João Donato
Bass – Chuck Domanico
Drums – Dom Um Romão, Mark Stevens, Paulinho Magalhães
Electric Guitar – Warren Klein
Flute – Bud Shank
Organ, Piano – João Donato
Percussion – Emil Richards, Joe Porcardo
Reeds – Bill Hood, Don Menza, Ernie Watts, Jack Nimitz
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland, Ken Shroyer
Trumpet – Conti Candoli, Jimmy Zito, Pete Candoli

FLORA PURIM — Stories to Tell (1974-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Though her recordings for Chick Corea's Return to Forever provide a better introduction to her vocal talents, Stories to Tell is an excellent outing by Flora Purim and friends. Assisted by a cast of jazz/fusion all-stars led by husband Airto Moreira, Purim shows off the wide range of her abilities: from wordless vocal soaring to songs with lyrics in English and Portuguese, from uptempo percussion-driven workouts to beautiful ballads. In addition to Airto, the assembled cast includes bassists Miroslav Vitous and Ron Carter, keyboard wunderkind George Duke, guitarists Earl Klugh and Oscar Castro-Neves, and trombonist Raul de Souza. Also, Carlos Santana turns in one of his patented sizzling guitar solos on "Silver Sword." With material from Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vitous, Milton Nascimento, McCoy Tyner, and Purim herself, this is an album worth savoring. Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1    Stories To Tell 3:41
Bass, Synthesizer, Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Composed By – Flora Purim
2    Search For Peace 5:53
Composed By – Flora Purim, McCoy Tyner
3    Casa Forte 3:55
Composed By – Edu Lobo
Trombone, Soloist – Raul De Souza
4    Insensatez 2:46
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
5    Mountain Train 3:14
Composed By – Ernie Hood, Flora Purim
6    To Say Goodbye 4:03
Composed By – Edu Lobo, Lani Hall
Trombone, Soloist – Raul De Souza
7    Silver Sword 5:40
Lead Guitar – Carlos Santana
Synthesizer, Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
8    Vera Cruz (Empty Faces) 4:12
Composed By – Marcio Borges, Milton Nascimento
Trombone, Soloist – Raul De Souza
9    O Cantador / I Just Want To Be Here 6:45
Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Composed By [I Just Want To Be Here] – Airto, Flora Purim, George Duke, King Errisson, Miroslav Vitous
Composed By [O Cantador] – Dorival Caymmi, Nelson Motta
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Oscar Neves (pistas: 5, 8)
Arranged By – George Duke (pistas: 3, 8)
Arranged By [Flute] – Oscar Neves (pistas: 4, 6)
Arranged By [Strings] – Oscar Neves (pistas: 6)
Bass – Ron Carter (pistas: 2, 3, 8)
Congas – King Errisson
Drums, Percussion – Airto
Flugelhorn – Oscar Brashear (pistas: 3, 8)
Flute, Flute [Alto] – Hadley Caliman (pistas: 3, 8)
Guitar – Earl Klugh (pistas: 1 to 6, 8, 9), Oscar Neves (pistas: 4)
Keyboards, Synthesizer – George Duke
Lead Vocals – Flora Purim
Piano – Larry Dunlap (pistas: 5)
Trombone – George Bohanon (pistas: 3, 8)
Zither – Ernie Hood (pistas: 5)

AIRTO MOREIRA - I'm Fine, How Are You? (1977-2002) RM / FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I'm Fine, How Are You? 5:14
Written-By – Moreira
2    Meni Devol 5:11
Written-By – Fattoruso, Rada
3    La Tumbadora 3:39
Written-By – Fattoruso, Rada
4    The Happy People 3:48
Written-By – Moreira
5    The Road Is Hard (But We're Going To Make It) 5:32
Written-By – Purim
6    La Cumbia De Anders 4:30
Written-By – Fattoruso, Rada
7    Celebration Suite 4:16
Written-By – Moreira
8    Nativity 6:57
Written-By – Moreira, Pastorius, McNabb
Credits :
Arranged By – Airto (faixas: 1, 4, 7), Flora (faixas: 5), Hugo Fattoruso
Backing Vocals – Airto (faixas: 4, 7), Aluizio (faixas: 4, 7), Ciruela (faixas: 4, 7), Diana (faixas: 4, 7), Flora (faixas: 4, 7), Hugo, Maria, Shirley (faixas: 4, 7), Sybil
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (faixas: 5), Byron Miller (faixas: 1 to 4, 6 to 8), Jaco Pastorius (faixas: 8)
Guitar – Charles (Icarus) Johnson, Oscar C Neves (faixas: 4, 7)
Keyboards – Hugo Fattoruso
Percussion – Airto, Laudir de Oliveira (faixas: 4, 7), Manolo Badrena (faixas: 3)
Saxophone, Flute – Tom Scott (faixas: 1, 5)
Trombone – Raul De Souza (faixas: 4, 7)
Vocals – Flora Purim (faixas: 5), Ruben Rada (faixas: 2, 3)

FLORA PURIM - Perpetual Emotion (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

For those who thought that despite recording, Flora Purim's musical career went out the window with her prison term in the early '90s, or, worse, at the end of 1970s jazz-world fusion boom, think again. Perpetual Emotion is the strongest recording Ms. Purim's monumental talent has given us since 1975's 500 Miles High. Accompanied by life partner and collaborator percussionist Airto Moreira, saxophonist Gary Meek, pianist Christian Jacob, bassist Trey Henry, and acoustic guitarist Oscar Castro Neves, and producer Dom Comardella, Purim has selected material that showcases the ease and flow of a voice that contains within it the passion of Brazil and the airiness of a spring day. Some of those selections, such as Cesar Mariano's "Saudade," offer the deep melancholy of looking back to places you can never again visit and reveal within them the sweeter memories they hold. Chris Jacob's piano leads the way trough the tune and strips it of any false "exotic" artifice. It's a jazz ballad with a Brazilian melody and rhythm, eased through the gates by Moreira's easy touch and a flowing bassline by Henry. On "Fotographia" by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Purim takes the tune, which has been recorded literally hundreds of times, to its folksy essence and makes of it a song that is neither jazz nor samba, but a tome of memory and longing. The highlight of the album is the revisiting of Chick Corea's and Neville Potter's "Crystal Silence." While the song had been in Purim's early repertoire as an improvisation, a wordless melody, because she had not known -- even though she had been part of Corea's Return to Forever -- that the tune had words all along. Her feeling for the original is fierce and moving; it flows from her like a river of feeling and motion, it offers the notion of seeing with new eyes that which has been present all along. Her interpretive voice has never sounded stronger, and her band is understated enough to let it come freely through the mix while providing her with musical challenges to rise to. Perpetual Emotion is the album Purim's been promising to deliver her entire career. Let us hope that this is the first of many like it to come.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1     San Francisco River 4:57
Airto Moreira / Flora Purim
2     My Ship 4:12
Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill
3     Escape 4:12
Flora Purim
4     Saudade 3:02
Flora Purim
5     Crystal Silence 6:17
Chick Corea / Neville Potter
6     Flora and Airto 5:00
Flora Purim
7     Fotografia 6:54
Ray Gilbert / Antônio Carlos Jobim
8     Journey to Eden 5:18
Flora Purim
9     Search for Peace 6:07
Flora Purim / McCoy Tyner
10     Airto's Jazz Dance 4:06
Flora Purim
11     Carinhoso 3:52
Pixinguinha / Flora Purim
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Trey Henry
Acoustic Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Drums, Percussion – Airto Moreira
Piano – Christian Jacob
Saxophone, Bass, Clarinet, Flute – Gary Meek
Vocals – Flora Purim 

FLORA PURIM - Speak No Evil (2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Two realities are abundantly clear from listening to this Brazilian songstress legend's latest mix of standards and originals -- she swings magnificently with great jazz company (including her husband, percussion legend Airto Moreira) and she's far more emotionally effective singing in her native Portuguese than in her heavily accented English. Her phrasing is solid on classics like "You Go To My Head" and the samba flavored "I've Got You Under My Skin," but her thick accent keeps the ears distracted somewhat from the message her heart seeks to convey. Fortunately, on these and other English language tunes by Don Grusin, Wayne Shorter and the vastly underrated L.A. keyboardist/songwriter Bill Cantos, she's surrounded by bandmates that propel her to great heights. On the opener "This Magic," that includes Moreira's jamming with flutist Gary Meek and members of The Yellowjackets. The same crowd turns "Speak No Evil" into a similarly wild trad-jazz affair. But compare her strained vocals on those tracks with her effortless vocal magic on Brazilian classics like "Tamanco no Samba" and "O Sonho" and the distinction between mere very good and close to perfection is clear. Another gem is the samba-lite tune written by Airto and Yutaka Yokokura, "Primeira Estrela," which rolls along on the strength of Purim's vocal harmonies with Yutaka and Oscar Castro Neves' beautiful acoustic guitar. To truly speak no musical evil, Purim should concentrate on mas Portugues. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
1     This Magic 5:06
Don Grusin
2     You Go to My Head 3:54
J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie
3     Speak No Evil (All for One) 5:13
Wayne Shorter
4     I've Got You Under My Skin 2:52
Cole Porter
5     Tamanco No Samba 5:05
Orlann Divo
6     Don't Say a Word 6:28
Bill Cantos
7     Primeira Estrela 5:01
Airto Moreira / Yutaka Yokokura
8     It Ain't Necessarily So 5:22
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9     I Feel You 4:37
Bill Cantos
10     O Sonho (Moon Dreams) 6:39
Egberto Gismonti / Chummy MacGregor
Credits :
Jimmy Branley - Percussion
Gary Brown - Bass
Bill Cantos - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards
Oscar Castro-Neves - Arranger, Guitar (Acoustic), Keyboards
Russell Ferrante - Arranger, Keyboards
Jimmy Haslip, Trey Henry - Bass
Christian Jacob - Keyboards
Gary Meek - Arranger, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Producer, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Airto Moreira - Composer, Drums, Percussion, Vocals (Background)
Flora Purim - Voices
Michito Sánchez - Percussion
Yutaka Yokokura - Arranger, Assistant Engineer, Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Vocal Treatments 

CAROL WELSMAN - The Language of Love (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Carol Welsman sings an easy, airy, romantic set with hints of passion and sensuality immersed in a savory palate of impressive nuance on The Language of Love. With three Juno Award nominations as well as the 2002 Vocalist of the Year award, the internationally acclaimed vocalist and pianist is appreciated more than ever. Welsman immaculately captures the unique expressions of love with elongated phrasings, lite scats, and endearing vocal techniques delectably mirrored in her bluesy rendition of Gershwin's "The Man I Love" and through the gentle swing of the French version of "Chanson de Maxence." Welsman takes the topic to new heights and eradicates the pain of falling in love with an upbeat bossa nova version of Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things." She demystifies Gino Paoli's "Senza Fine" and beautifully brings the Italian composer's smooth essence to the forefront in his native language. This is a beautifully expressed piece and holds the listener captive until the final note is played. With The Language of Love, Carol Welsman surpasses her other endeavors and should garner more acclaim because of the delightful interpretations she offers. by Paula Edelstein  
Tracklist :
1    Taking A Chance On Love    3:10
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
2    You Take Me Away    3:42
John Acosta / Carol Welsman
3    On A Slow Boat To China    2:39
Frank Loesser
4    A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square    5:43
Eric Maschwitz / Manning Sherwin
5    Can't Help Falling In Love 3:31
Luigi Creatore / Hugo Peretti / George David Weiss
Vocals [Additional] – Arnold McCuller
6    Just One Of Those Things    3:31
Cole Porter
7    Caracao Leviano    4:11
Paulo Cesar Baptista De Faria
8    Every Breath You Take    4:38
Sting
9    A Fool I Know    4:00
Oscar Castro-Neves / Gene Lees
10    There's No Such Thing As Love    4:48
Ian Fraser / Anthony Newley
11    The Man I Love    4:12
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
12    Chanson De Maxence    4:25
Walter Brown / Jacques Demy / Michel Legrand
13    Senza Fine    4:14
Gino Paoli
Credits :
Producer, Acoustic Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Backing Vocals – Kate Markowitz
Bass – Dave Carpenter
Drums, Percussion – Alex Acuña
Electric Guitar – Ramon Stagnaro
Flute – Gary Meek
Percussion – Calos Del Rosario
Violin, Viola – Charlie Bisharat

JOE PASS AND PAULINHO DA COSTA - Tudo Bem! (1978-1985) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After countless solo guitar albums for Pablo, Joe Pass performed this welcome change of pace, a set of Brazilian tunes. Joined by fellow guitarist Oscar Castro Neves, bassist Octavio Bailly, drummer Claudio Slon, percussionist Paulinho da Costa and keyboardist Don Grusin, Pass plays warm solos on a variety of Brazilian tunes. Highlights include three songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim (including "Corcovado" and "Wave"), Deodato's "Tears," and Luiz Bonfa's "The Gentle Rain." A melodic and infectious date that has been reissued on CD. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Corcovado 6:20
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
2     Tears (Razao de Viver) 3:32
Deodato
3     Wave 10:08
Antônio Carlos Jobim
4     Voce (You) 3:10
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
5     If You Went Away 3:04
Marcos Valle
6     Que Que Ha? 4:11
Don Grusin / Octavio Bailly, Jr.
7     The Gentle Rain (Chuva Delicada) 4:11
Luiz Bonfá / Matt Dubey
8     Barquinho 6:11
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
9     Luciana 4:55
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees / Vinícius de Moraes
10     I Live to Love 3:20
Oscar Castro-Neves / Luverci Fiorini / Ray Gilbert
Credits :
Bass – Octavio Bailly Jr
Drums – Claudio Slon
Guitar – Joe Pass, Oscar Castro Neves
Keyboards – Don Grusin
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Producer – Norman Granz

DAVID DARLING - Cycles (1982) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Cellist David Darling, best known at the time for his long stint with Paul Winter's Consort, mostly performs spacy ballads on this ECM release. Teamed up in different combinations (three unaccompanied solos, a duet, two trios and a quintet number) with Collin Walcott (who doubles on sitar and tabla), pianist Steve Kuhn, Jan Garbarek (on tenor and soprano), acoustic guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves and bassist Arild Andersen, Darling and his sidemen give the music a wide variety of sounds. However, the sleepy mood is very much in the stereotypical ECM mold, making this set mostly of interest for selected tastes. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Cycle Song 7:09
David Darling
2     Cycle One: Namaste 4:11
David Darling / Jan Garbarek
3     Fly 9:25
David Darling
4     Ode 6:55
David Darling
5     Cycle Two: Trio 5:30
David Darling
6     Cycle Three: Quintet and Coda 7:52
David Darling
7     Jessica's Sunwheel 5:21
David Darling
Credits :
Bass – Arild Andersen
Cello, Cello [8-string Electric] – David Darling
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Saxophone [Tenor, Soprano] – Jan Garbarek
Sitar, Tabla, Percussion – Collin Walcott

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)

PAUL WINTER • OSCAR CASTRO-NEVES - Brazilian Days (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Twelve bossa nova numbers recorded as duets between saxophonist Paul Winter and his Consort cohort Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar, Brazilian Days finds the duo digging up overlooked gems from the likes of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carlos Lyra, Noel Rosa, Vinicius de Moraes, Edu Lobo, and Luiz Eca. The numbers are gentle and relaxed, with bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Paulo Braga fine in support. by Steve Huey
Tracklist :
1     Aula de Matemática 3:28
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Marino Pinto
Percussion – Cassio Duarte    
2     Coisa Mais Linda 4:09
Carlos Lyra / Vinícius de Moraes
3     Feitio de Oração 4:02
Noel Rosa
4     Feio Nao E Bonito 4:04
Carlos Lyra
5     Minha Namorada 3:58
Carlos Lyra
6     Tambén Quem Mandou 3:37
Carlos Lyra
Organ [Pipe Organ] – Paul Halley
7     Ana Luiza 3:07
Antônio Carlos Jobim
8     Fetiço Da Vila 4:18
Noel Rosa
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
9     Canto Triste 3:09
Edú Lobo
Organ [Pipe Organ] – Paul Halley
10     Imagem 4:48
Aloysio de Oliveira
11     Por Causa de Voc 2:17
Dolores Durán / Antônio Carlos Jobim
12     Se E Tarde Me Perdoa 3:13
Carlos Lyra
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Credits :
Bass – Nilson Matta
Drums – Paulo Braga
Guitar, Producer, Arranged By, Liner Notes – Oscar Castro-Neves
Soprano Saxophone, Producer – Paul Winter 

ELIS REGINA / ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM - Elis & Tom (1974-2008) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This beautiful -- and now legendary -- recording date between iconic Brazilian vocalist Elis Regina and composer, conductor, and arranger Tom Jobim is widely regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian pop recordings. It is nearly ubiquitous among Brazilians as a household item. Regina's voice is among the most loved in the history of Brazilian music. Her range and acuity, her unique phrasing, and her rainbow of emotional colors are literally unmatched, and no matter the tune or arrangement, she employs most of them on these 14 cuts. Another compelling aspect of this recording is the young band Jobim employs here and allows pretty free rein throughout. He plays piano on eight of these tracks, and guitar on two others, but the fluid, heightened instincts of these players -- guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves, Luizão Maia on bass, drummer Paulinho Braga, and pianist César Mariano -- reveal them to be at the top of their game for this rather informal date that does include a few numbers with a full orchestra. That said, most of these songs were completed as first takes with very little overdubbing. The ballads are stunning -- check"Modinha," written and arranged by Jobim. The chart, even with an orchestral backing, is amazingly terse because the composer knew Regina worked best within minimal settings. Only two minutes and 16 seconds in length, it nonetheless captures the Portuguese notion of "saudade" perfectly. Of course, most of these tunes are bossa novas. The opening "Águas de Março" features a deceptively simple cat-and-mouse vocal call and response, kicking the disc off on a light, cheerful note; it's a delightful and very sophisticated number, but it feels effortless. "Triste" is one of Jobim's finest tunes, and there is scarcely a better version of it than this one. Even with electric guitars (complete with a semi-funky solo in the middle eight) on top of the nylon strings, the gauzy yet pronounced rhythms and the languid melody delivered by Regina are gorgeous. "Corcovado" is done with an orchestra, full of lilting flutes and a deep string backdrop. It is mournful and sensual. Jobim plays guitar and piano here, and adds a hushed backing vocal to Regina's refrains. It's an unusual reading, but a stellar one. "Brigas, Nuncas Mais" is a wonderfully accented -- if brief -- bossa nova with all the percussion just above the threshold of hearing. It's all guitars, bass, and Regina in the first verse before the Rhodes piano and counterpoint enter near the end. She does more to express the true elegant sensuality of the bossa nova in a minute and 13 seconds than some singers have in a lifetime. Jobim's classic jazz ballad "Inútil Paisagem" is very difficult to deliver well, because it requires incredible restraint and emotion. Accompanied only by Jobim's piano -- and his all-but-whispered backing vocal -- this is truly one of Regina's greatest performances of the 1970s. It closes the album on a stunning high note, leaving nothing to be desired by the listener.
(This Comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our Blog ´O Púbis da Rosa´)
Tracklist:
1    Águas de Março 3:22
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Guitar – Helio, Oscar
Piano – Tom, Cesar
Vocals – Tom, Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim   
2    Pois É 1:43
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Guitar – Helinho
Piano – Cesar
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque
3    Só Tinha de Ser Com Você 3:49
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Electric Piano – Cesar
Guitar – Helinho, Oscar
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Aloysio De Oliveira, Tom Jobim
4    Modinha 2:16
Arranged By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
5    Triste 2:39
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Guitar – Helinho, Oscar
Piano – Cesar
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim
6    Corcovado 3:53
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Piano, Guitar – Tom
Vocals – Tom, Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim
7    O Que Tinha de Ser 1:43
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
8    Retrato Em Branco e Prieto 3:03
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque   
9    Brigas, Nuncas Mais 1:39
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Electric Piano – Cesar
Guitar – Helio, Oscar Castro Neves
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
10    Por Toda a Minha Vida 2:04
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
11    Fotografia 2:46
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Electric Piano – Cesar
Guitar – Helio
Percussion – Chico Batera
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim
12    Soneto de Separação 2:20
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Tom, Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
13    Chovendo Na Roseira 3:11
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Electric Piano – Cesar
Guitar – Tom, Oscar Castro Neves
Piano – Tom, Cesar
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim
14    Inútil Paisagem 3:08
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Tom, Elis
Credits:
Written-By – Aloysio De Oliveira, Tom Jobim
Bass – Luizão Maia
Drums – Paulo Braga
Guitar – Hélio Delmiro, Oscar Castro Neves
Vocals – Elis Regina
Vocals, Piano, Guitar – Antonio Carlos Jobim 

MIUCHA & TOM JOBIM - Miúcha & Tom Jobim (1979-2001) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Para a geração do segundo álbum de Miucha & Tom Jobim, em 79, o produtor Aloysio de Oliveira prefiriu a atmofera de New York. A precença de feras como Ron Carter, Oscar Castro-Neves e Rubens Bassini contribuiu para um resultado final ainda mais sofisticado, destacandose ' Aula de Matemática, 'Madrugada' e 'Dinheiro em penca', genial parceria de Tom & Cacaso.
Apenas uma faixa foi registrada no Rio; 'Turma do Funil', com arranjo de João Donato. Notas do CD
Tracklist:
1    Turma Do Funil (No Baixo Leblon) 3:05
Acoustic Guitar – Hélio Capucci
Adapted By – Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque
Cavaquinho – Rodrigo
Choir – A Turma Do Funil
Drums – Adilson Verneck
Electric Bass – Jamil
Featuring – Chico Buarque
Pandeiro – Mario Machado
Piano, Arranged By, Conductor – João Donato
Surdo – Gilberto
Tamborim – Geraldo Bongô
Written-By – Milton de Oliveira, Mirabeau, Urgel De Castro
2    Triste Alegria 2:06
Written-By – Miucha
3    Aula De Matemática 2:41
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Marino Pinto
4    Sublime Tortura 3:15
Written-By – Bororó
5    Madrugada 2:33
Written-By – Candinho, Marino Pinto
6    Samba Do Carioca 2:46
Written-By – Carlos Lyra, Vinicius De Moraes
7    Falando De Amor 2:37
Written-By – Tom Jobim
8    Nó Cego 3:42
Written-By – Cacaso, Toquinho
9    Dinheiro Em Penca 10:25
Featuring – Chico Buarque
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Cacaso
Credits:
Acoustic Bass – Ron Carter
Acoustic Guitar – Oscar Castro Neves
Arranged By – Tom Jobim
Backing Vocals – Bebel, Carlos, Cristina Buarque, Danilo Caymmi, Nelson Angelo, Novelli, Olivia Hime, Telma Costa
Lead Vocals – Chico Buarque (faixas: 1, 8)
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Miucha
Orchestrated By – João Donato (faixas: 1), Oscar Castro-Neves
Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Piano, Lead Vocals – Tom Jobim
Producer, Liner Notes [Original] – Aloysio De Oliveira

ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM - Terra Brasilis (1980) APE (image+.cue), lossless

 In some ways, this is a strategic retreat for Antonio Carlos Jobim after the classical departures of the '70s – a retrospective of past triumphs, including some of the most trod-upon standards ("Ipanema," "Desafinado," "One-Note Samba," etc.), with Claus Ogerman again at hand. But these are thoughtful retoolings, some subtle, some radical, ranging in backing from a lonely piano to elaborate yet sensitive Ogerman orchestral flights that cram more complexity than ever into the spaces (listen to his beguilingly involved take on "Double Rainbow") with only a few overbearing faux pas. Jobim's own vocals sound increasingly casual in temperament as he serves them up in an unpredictable mixture of Portuguese, English and scat. And there is much unfamiliar material here, often dressed up in a brooding classical manner. by Richard S. Ginel
Tracklist:
1. Dreamer (Vivo Sonhando) 3:05
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees
2. Canta Mais (Sing Once More) 4:34
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
3. Olha Maria (Amparo) 4:07
Antônio Carlos Jobim
4. One Note Samba 2:20
Jon Hendricks / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
5. Dindi 4:18
Ray Gilbert / Antônio Carlos Jobim
6. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) 3:29
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees
7. Marina 2:57
Antônio Carlos Jobim
8. Off-Key (Desafinado) 3:28
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees / Newton Mendonça
9. Voce Vai Ver (You'll See) 2:58
Antônio Carlos Jobim
10. Estrada Do Sol (Road To The Sun) 2:07
Dolores Durán / Antônio Carlos Jobim
11. The Girl From Ipanema 4:50
Norman Gimbel / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
12. Double Rainbow 4:06
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees
13. Triste 3:07
Antônio Carlos Jobim
14. Wave 3:40
Antônio Carlos Jobim
15. Someone To Light Up My Life (Se Todos Fossem Iguais A Voce) 3:07
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees / Vinícius de Moraes
16. Falando De Amor (Speaking Of Love) 3:43
Antônio Carlos Jobim
17. Two Kites 4:39
Antônio Carlos Jobim
18. Modinha (Serenade) 3:39
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
19. Song Of The Sabia (Sabia) 4:07
Norman Gimbel / Antônio Carlos Jobim
20. This Happy Madness (Estrada Branca) 2:49
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees / Vinícius de Moraes
Time: 1:11:19
Credits
Arranged By Orchestra, Conductor – Claus Ogerman
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Pascoal De Souza Meirelles
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Producer – Aloysio De Oliveira
Composed, Vocals, Keyboards – Antonio Carlos Jobim

ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM - Antonio Carlos Jobim And Friends (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jobim made his last Brazilian concert appearance -- and the penultimate one of his life -- at this warm, star-studded affair in which American jazz musicians jetted down to the Free Jazz Festival in São Paulo to pay effusive homage. The miracle is how easily the jazzers were able to capture the yearning essence of Jobim's idiom without really compromising their own distinct styles. Thus, Joe Henderson welds his trademark unpredictable flurries into the cool tenor sax bossa nova tradition, Shirley Horn does "Once I Loved" in her own inimitable manner that matches the mood of the song perfectly, Jon Hendricks' scatting fits the samba like a glove. The pianists go somewhat outside the idiom -- Herbie Hancock's modern complexity, Gonzalo Rubalcaba's technical fireworks laced with Afro-Cuban salsa -- but they stay within their orbits around the Jobim sun. The composer himself only appears on the last four tracks -- he sounds weary and ill -- yet he radiates his gentle warmth and spirit throughout the evening. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
1    Prelude 8:27
Piano – Herbie Hancock
2    Ela E Carioca 6:21
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Herbie Hancock
3    The Boy From Ipanema 2:40
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Shirley Horn
Vocals – Shirley Horn
4    Once I Loved 5:28
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Keyboards – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Shirley Horn
Vocals – Shirley Horn
5    O Grande Amor 9:26
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves, Paulo Jobim
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Saxophone – Joe Henderson
6    No More Blues 5:21
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Herbie Hancock
Vocals – Jon Hendricks
7    Agua De Beber 6:02
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Keyboards – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Gonzalo Rubalcaba
8    A Felicidade 4:55
Piano – Herbie Hancock
Vocals – Gal Costa
9    Se Todos Fossem Iguais A Voce 5:04
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves, Paulo Jobim
Keyboards – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Vocals – Gal Costa
10    Luiza 3:27
Piano, vocals – Antonio Carlos Jobim
11    Wave 4:23
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves, Paulo Jobim
Keyboards – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Herbie Hancock
12    Cominhos Cruzados 4:28
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves, Paulo Jobim
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Vocals – Gal Costa
13    Finale: The Girl From Ipanema 7:54
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Oscar Castro-Neves, Paulo Jobim
Keyboards – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Vocals – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gal Costa, Jon Hendricks 

ROSINHA DE VALENÇA - Apresentando Rosinha de Valença (1964) MONO / lp / Mp3

Rosinha de Valença was at her peak during the '60s when she was performing at the Bottle's nightclub in Rio (one of the focal points of bossa nova). In that decade, she was celebrated by important artists like Baden Powell, Maria Bethânia, Aloysio de Oliveira (who invited her to record her first album), Sérgio Mendes (with whom she and his band, Brasil 65, performed during an eight-month American tour), Sivuca, Martinho da Vila, and others. She was forced to abandon her artistic career prematurely in 1992 due to brain damage caused by a heart attack. She left her hometown for Rio de Janeiro in 1963, sitting in several nightclubs until she became acquainted with de Oliveira, who at the time owned the Elenco recording company. At his invitation, Valença recorded her debut album, Apresentando Rosinha de Valença, which was followed by a very successful eight-month season at the Bottle's nightclub, at the Beco das Garrafas. The popularity she achieved in that period yielded her several invitations for participation in TV and radio shows, ultimately bringing her to the stage at the historic show O Fino da Bossa (the first bossa nova show in the city of São Paulo), at the Paramount Theater. She left for her eight-month tour through the U.S. that same year, accompanying Sérgio Mendes and Brasil 65. During that tour, she participated in the recording of two live albums: Brasil '65 -- Wanda de Sah Featuring the Sergio Mendes Trio and In Person at El Matador -- Sergio Mendes & Brasil '65. In late 1965, she toured Europe, performing in 24 countries under the auspices of the Brazilian diplomatic service. In 1968, she departed for a long international season in which she performed in several countries of Africa, Europe, and Middle East, returning to Brazil in 1971. After intense activity that comprised more tours abroad, she formed a band in Brazil which counted on João Donato, Miúcha, Ivone Lara, and Copinha. Along with her nine albums released in Brazil, Valença also recorded others in Europe and the U.S. by Alvaro Neder
Tracklist:
A1    Tristeza Em Mim 2:45
Written-By – José Guimarães, Mauro Tavares
A2    Tema Do Boneco De Palha 2:53
Composed By – Sivan Castelo Neto, Vera Brasil
A3    Ela É Carioca 2:53
Composed By – A. C. Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
A4    Praça 11 2:52
Composed By – Grande Otelo, H. Martins
Trombone – Nelsinho
A5    Com Que Roupa 2:17
Composed By – Noel Rosa
B1    Consolação 3:35
Composed By – Baden, Vinicius
B2    Até Londres 1:58
Composed By, Scat – Oscar Castro Neves
Scat – Rosinha
B3    Atirei O Pau No Gato 1:48
Arranged By – Oscar Castro Neves
B4    Estrada Do Nada 2:27
Composed By – Billy Blanco
B5    Minha Saudade 2:10
Composed By – Donato, J. Gilberto
Credits:
Sergio Barroso - Bass (Acoustic)
Oscar Castro-Neves - Arranger, Composer, Guitar (Rhythm), Piano, Vocals (Background)
Jorge Ferreira da Silva    - Flute
Aloysio de Oliveira - Producer
Rosinha de Valença - Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals
Nelsinho - Trombone
Dom Um Romão - Drums

GRORGE DUKE – 1977-1984 (9 Albums, Japanese Remasters 2014) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

George Duke - From Me to You

George Duke was never a myopic jazz purist -- the keyboardist/singer/producer/composer always had a healthy appreciation of soul, funk, and rock. Nonetheless, instrumental jazz was his main focus prior to 1977. It was in 1977 that Duke placed jazz on the back burner and made vocal-oriented R&B his top priority. The album that marked this change of direction was From Me to You, which was the first of two R&B-oriented releases that Epic put out for the artist in 1977 -- the second was the superb Reach for It. This LP contains a few noteworthy fusion instrumentals, including the driving "Up on It" and the contemplative "Seasons." But From Me to You is an R&B album more than anything, and Duke lets the funk prevail on vocal-oriented tracks like "Sing It" and "Carry On" (which he revisited when he produced Flora Purim's Carry On LP in 1979). Occasionally, this album is excellent, although most of the time, it is merely decent -- on From Me to You, Duke doesn't wear the soul/funk hat as confidently as he did on subsequent R&B-oriented projects like Reach for It, Don't Let Go, and Follow the Rainbow. This record is a bit uneven, although it has more plusses than minuses and is worth hearing if you're among Duke's hardcore fans. Alex Henderson

Tracklist :
1. From Me to You (Duke) - 1:45
2. Carry On (Duke) - 4:36
3. What Do They Really Fear? (Duke) - 4:28
4. 'Scuse Me Miss (Duke) - 3:37
5. You and Me (Duke) - 3:41
6. Broken Dreams (Duke) - 2:50
7. Up on It (Duke) - 9:05
8. Seasons (Duke) - 5:45
9. Down in It (Duke-Clarke-Sembello-Chancler) - 1:22
10. Sing It (Duke) - 4:10
Credits:
George Duke - keyboards, vocals, percussion (5)
Stanley Clarke - acoustic bass (1,8), electric bass (7,9)
Byron Miller - electric bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Mike Sembello - electric and acoustic guitars
Diane Reeves - vocals (5,6)
Maxine Willard Waters, Julia Tillman Waters, Jessica Smith - background vocals

George Duke - Reach for It 

By 1977, the jazz content of George Duke's albums had decreased considerably, and soul and funk had become his main priorities. Reach for It has more to offer from an R&B standpoint than a jazz standpoint, though the fusion it does contain is first rate -- including the Latin-influenced "Hot Fire" and "Lemme at It" (an aggressive gem that's in a class with some of the keyboardist/pianist's best work with the Billy Cobham/Duke Band). Reach's heavy R&B content resulted in Duke facing the same accusation as George Benson, Patrice Rushen and other improvisers who moved away from jazz in the '70s -- that he was a sellout. But none of this CD's R&B content comes across as contrived or formulaic. In fact, Duke is downright inspired on the haunting "Just for You" and the Parliament-influenced title song. Even so, it's always regrettable when a gifted improviser pretty much abandons jazz -- and Duke is a prime example. It should be stressed that the high rating awarded this CD is primarily from an R&B standpoint -- and that those strictly interested in hearing Duke playing jazz would be better off investing in earlier efforts like Faces in Reflection. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. The Beginning (Duke) - 1:50
2. Lemme at It (Duke) - 4:14
3. Hot Fire (Chancler) - 5:31
4. Reach for It (Duke) - 4:54
5. Just for You (Duke) - 4:28
6. Omi (Fresh Water) (Duke) - 4:50
7. Searchin' My Mind (Duke) - 3:12
8. Watch Out Baby! (Duke-Chancler-Sembello-Clarke) - 5:25
9. Diamonds (Duke) - 6:45
10. The End (Duke) - 1:07
11. Bring It on Home (Duke) - 4:25
Credits :
George Duke - keyboards, vocals
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, remo roto toms, timbales, vocals (4,8)
Charles Icarus Johnson - guitar, vocals (4,9)
Deborah Thomas, Dee Henrichs, Sybil Thomas - vocals
Manolo Badrena - congas, bongos, percussion
Mike Sembello - guitar (8)
Raul de Souza - trombone (6)

George Duke - Don't Let Go

With a hot funk band and a big hit, "Reach for It," behind him, George Duke appears mostly in his persona as R&B star on this ebullient package of sometimes Latin-inflected '70s funk. The centerpiece is a self-parodic bit of shuck and jive called "Dukey Stick," which became a number four hit single on the R&B charts (at his gigs, Duke used to flaunt a gaudy, lit-up, perhaps phallic wand, the "Dukey stick," during this number). The percussion section is pretty potent, staffed by Leon "Ndugu" Chancler and Sheila Escovedo in her pre-pop star days; they even get a Latin workout of their own simply titled "Percussion Interlude." While some of Duke's considerable keyboard and electronic prowess breaks through now and then, this album is mainly aimed at the R&B market, as the preponderance of soul vocals indicates. As such, it is a cut or two above the routine fare of the time, though not as infectious as its predecessor Reach for It. Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1. We Give Our Love (Duke-Chancler-Miller-Johnson) - 4:33
2. Morning Sun (Duke) - 4:15
3. Percussion Interlude (Chancler-Escovedo) - 2:02
4. Dukey Stick (Duke) - 6:07
5. Starting Again (Duke) - 4:30
6. Yeah, We Going (Chancler) - 3:41
7. The Way I Feel (Duke) - 4:45
8. Movin' On (Duke) - 4:23
9. Don't Let Go (Duke) - 3:26
10. Preface (Duke) - 1:30
11. The Future (Duke) - 3:28
12. Dukey Stick Part 1 (Duke) - 3:35
13. Dukey Stick Part 2 (Duke) - 4:43
14. Dukey Stick (12" Single Version) (Duke) - 8:07
Credits :
George Duke - keyboards, vocals, narration
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, narration (4), timbales
Byron Miller - bass, narration (4)
Charles "Icarus" Johnson - guitar, narration (4)
Sheila Escovedo - congas, percussion, nrration (4), vocals
Josie James, Napolean Murphy Brock - vocals
Petsye Powell, Pattie Brooks - background vocals
Roland Bautista - rhythm guitar (9)
Wah Wah Watson - Hot Licks (1)
Carol Shive - violin
Jody Geist - viola (10)

George Duke - Follow the Rainbow

When George Duke made the transition from jazz instrumentalist to R&B star in 1977, he received both negative and positive reviews. R&B-oriented publications tended to provide favorable reviews-even glowing ones-whereas much of the jazz media routinely trashed soul/funk efforts like 1979's Follow the Rainbow. To many jazz critics, Duke was a sellout-a virtuoso who had forsaken creativity and was pandering to the lowest common denominator in order to enjoy financial security. But truth be told, jazz musicians don't have the market cornered on creativity. Follow the Rainbow is, in fact, a creative album, and it's an album that has very little to do with jazz. The LP includes a few fusion instrumentals, including the Brazilian-flavored "Festival." But 90% of Follow the Rainbow is devoted to R&B, and anyone who judges it by those standards instead of jazz standards will have to agree that Duke is triumphant on sweaty funk tunes ("Party Down," "I Am for Real") as well as mellow soul ballads and slow jams like "Say That You Will," "Straight From the Heart," and the Earth, Wind & Fire-influenced "Sunrise." This album is consistently excellent, but it isn't recommended to jazz snobs -- only those with a healthy appreciation of 1970s soul and funk will enjoy this album. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Party Down (Duke-Champlin) - 3:10
2. Say That You Will (Duke) - 3:06
3. Funkin' for the Thrill (Miller) - 4:03
4. Sunrise (Duke) - 4:45
5. Festival (Duke) - 6:43
6. I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You) (Duke) - 5:19
7. Straight from the Heart (Duke) - 3:53
8. Corine (Duke) - 6:02
9. Pluck (Duke) - 4:48
10. Follow the Rainbow (Duke) - 1:28
11. I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You) (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:35
12. Pluck (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:25
Credits :
George Duke - vocals, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass, vocals (3)
Ricky Lawson - drums
Charles Icarus Johnson - guitar
Sheila Escovedo - percussion, vocals
Napolean Murphy Brook, Lynn Davis, Josie James - vocals
Everybody - narration

George Duke - A Brazilian Love Affair

George Duke had been fairly visible in the R&B world thanks to funk gems like "Reach for It" and "Dukey Stick" when he ventured to Rio to record A Brazilian Love Affair, a superb date employing such greats as singers Flora Purim and Milton Nascimento and percussionist Airto Moreira. Although not the return to instrumental jazz some hoped it would be, this heartfelt effort does contain its share of jazz-influenced material. From a jazz standpoint, the CD's most noteworthy songs include Nascimento's "Cravo e Canela," the charming "Brazilian Sugar," "Love Reborn," and the exuberant "Up from the Sea It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite." Meanwhile, Nascimento's vocal on the ballad "Ao Que Vai Nascer" is a fine example of Brazilian pop at its most sensuous. But however one labels or categorizes this music, the album is clearly a labor of love from start to finish. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Brazilian Love Affair (Duke) - 7:23
2. Summer Breezin' (Duke) - 4:49
3. Cravo e Canela (Nascimento-Bastos) - 3:06
4. Alone-6AM (Duke) - 1:07
5. Brazilian Sugar (Duke) - 5:34
6. Sugar Loaf Mountain (Duke) - 4:10
7. Love Reborn (Duke) - 4:28
8. Up from the Sea It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite (Duke) - 5:24
9. I Need You Now (Duke) - 4:43
10. Ao Que Vai Nascer (Nascimento-Brant) - 3:31
11. Caxanga (Nascimento-Brant) - 4:10
12. Brazilian Love Affair (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:52
Credits :
George Duke - piano, synthesizers
Milton Nascimento, Simone, George Duke - lead vocals
Byron Miller, Jamil Joanes - bass
Roberto Silva, Ricky Lawson - drums
Chico Batera, Airto Moreira, Sheila Escovedo - percussion
Toninho Horta, Roland Bautista - guitar
Raul de Souz, Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Larry Williams - alto saxophone
Lucinha Lins, Zeluiz, Flavio Faria, Lucia Turnbull, Flora Purim, Josie James, Lynn Davis - vocals
Murrey Adler - string contractor

George Duke - Master of the Game

Although George Duke first made his mark as a jazz instrumentalist, late-1970s classics like Reach for It, Don't Let Go, and Follow the Rainbow made it clear that he could also be an expressive R&B singer. But he didn't want to handle all of the lead vocals himself; so during that period, his role was that of a producer/keyboardist/songwriter who was more than happy to share the lead vocals with Lynn Davis, Josie James, and others. Davis enjoyed a lot of exposure on R&B stations when, in 1979, Duke featured her on "I Want You for Myself," the haunting single that made Master of the Game one of his best-selling albums. Her charismatic performance makes the listener wonder why she never had a solo career; the talent was certainly there. This album contains a few jazz fusion instrumentals (including the Latin-flavored "Dog-Man"), but it's an R&B release first and foremost -- and those who like Duke as an R&B artist will find this album to be enjoyable, if less than essential. "I Want You for Myself" and the mellow, Stylistics-influenced "Every Little Step I Take" are gems, but most of the other selections are merely decent instead of excellent. On the whole, this album isn't in a class with Reach for It, Don't Let Go, or Follow the Rainbow, which are arguably his most essential R&B-oriented albums. But it has more pluses than minuses and is worth having in your collection if you're a serious fans of Duke's late 1970s/early 1980s output. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Look What You Find (Duke) - 4:45
2. Every Little Step I Take (Duke) - 3:49
3. Games (Escovedo-Duke) - 3:14
4. I Want You for Myself (Duke) - 6:38
5. In the Distance (Duke) - 2:24
6. I Love You More (Duke) - 3:06
7. Dog-Man (Duke) - 4:40
8. Everybody's Talkin' (Duke) - 4:19
9. Part 1 - The Alien Challenges the Stick (Duke-Miller-Lawson-Myles) - 2:27
10. Part 2 - The Alien Succumbs to the Macho Intergalactic Funkativity of the Funkblasters (Duke-Miller-Lawson-Myles) - 6:59
11. I Want You for Myself (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:55
12. Every Little Step I Take (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:43
Credits :
George Duke - vocals, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass
Ricky Lawson - drums
David Myles - electric guitars, sitar, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, Ovation
Sheila Escovedo - percussion, drums
Napoleon Brock, Lynn Davis, Josie James - vocals
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Ray Obeido, Roland Bautista - guitar
Gary Herbig - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, piccolo
Bill Reichenbach - trombone, bass trombone
Fred Washington - bass (3)
Gary Grant - trumpet (7)

George Duke - Dream On

On his R&B-oriented records of the late '70s, George Duke often shared the lead vocals with such band members as Lynn Davis, Josie James, and Napoleon Brock, but none of them are employed on 1982's Dream On, which finds him handling most of the lead vocals himself. And that isn't a bad thing, because Duke is a soulful and charismatic singer -- there is no reason why he shouldn't hog the microphone on his own albums. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a lot of first-rate material to work with on this competent, if uneven and unfocused, LP. Dream On isn't a bad album; sleek R&B ballads like "I Will Always Be Your Friend," "Let Your Love Shine," and "You" are pleasant, but they aren't remarkable, and while Dream On simmers, it never burns and never explodes. Even "Son of Reach for It (The Funky Dream)" -- a sequel to Duke's 1977 smash "Reach for It" -- isn't all that exciting. The best thing on the record is a remake of the mellow soul ballad "Someday," which he had previously recorded for 1975's I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry. Again, Dream On isn't a disaster, but it isn't one of Duke's more impressive albums either. This LP is strictly for completists. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Shine On (Duke) - 5:13
2. You (Duke) - 4:39
3. Dream On (Martin-Pilate) - 4:02
4. I Will Always Be Your Friend (Duke) - 3:28
5. Framed (Duke) - 3:20
6. Ride on Love (Duke) - 5:26
7. Son of Reach for It (Miller-Duke-Chancler-Johnson) - 4:26
8. Someday (Duke) - 3:53
9. Positive Energy (Duke) - 3:35
10. Let Your Love Shine (Duke) - 4:31
11. Shine On (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:53
12. Ride on Love (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:58
Credits :
George Duke - lead vocals, piano, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Paulinho da Costa - percussion
Mike Sembelo, Charles "Icarus" Johnson - guitar
Carl Carlwell, Sybil Thomas, Dee Hendricks, Deborah Thomas, Flora Purim, Jean Carn - background vocals
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Larry Williams - saxophone
Strings:
Charles Veal,Jr. - concertmaster
Rosemary Veal - contractor
Mari Botnick, Bonnie Douglas, Henry Ferber, Ron Folsom, Franklin Foster, Bob Sanov, Carol Shive, Dorothy Wade, Ken Yerke, Sheldon Sanov, Paul Shure, Endre Granat, Arnold Belnick, Marcia Van Dyke - violin
Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Virginia Majenski, Barbara Thomason - viola
Julie Buffun, Paula Hochhalter, Dennis Karmazyn, Danny Rothmuller, Nils Oliver - cello

George Duke - Guardian of the Light

Coming to the close of his tenure with Epic records, Duke's great work seemed to be overshadowed by bunk. At the same time, he was becoming an in-demand producer with assignments from Jeffrey Osborne, Phillip Bailey, and Deniece Williams filling his schedule. Guardian of the Light reflects that strain. Released in 1983, Guardian of the Light also had the added baggage of a hard-to-follow concept of a fictional character's mystical exploits. This being George Duke, although the idea is odd, he was sure to get some good songs done here. It doesn't come easily however. Despite the good intentions, "Light," "Shane," and "Reach Out" differ little from the melodically challenged songs that typified his post-Brazilian Love Affair efforts. That being said, Guardian of the Light does include a classic. The gorgeous and soaring "You (Are the Light)" has Duke giving a particularly strong vocal performance. Duke also does one of his best Rhodes solos on the track as well. "Born to Love You" is also very affecting. This album closes with the rock-influenced and surprisingly effective "Fly Away." This effort is worth seeking out for its highs, but the middling work does seem to win out here. Jason Elias
Tracklist :
1. Overture (Duke) - 1:38
2. Light (Duke) - 3:23
3. Shane (Duke) - 3:14
4. Born to Love You (Duke) - 3:10
5. Silly Fightin' (Duke) - 5:07
6. You (Are the Light) (Duke) - 4:16
7. The War Fugue Interlude (Duke) - 1:13
8. Reach Out (Duke) - 4:57
9. Give Me Your Love (Duke) - 4:19
10. Stand (Duke) - 2:14
11. Soon (Duke) - 2:43
12. Celebrate (Duke) - 3:54
13. Fly Away (Duke) - 4:03
14. Reach Out (12" Single Version) (Duke) - 6:54
Credits:
George Duke - vocals, keyborads
Louis Johnson, Byron Miller - bass
John Robinson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Michael Sembello, Charles Fearing, Johnny McGhee - guitar
Paulinho da Costa, Steve Forman - percussion
Craig Harris - vocorder programming
Jeffrey Osborne, Lynn Davis, Portia Griffin, Patti Austin,
George Duke - background vocals
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet
Larry Williams - tenor saxophone
Lou McCreary - trombone
Lynn Davis, Rachelle Fields, Portia Griffin, George Duke - handclaps
Strings:
Paul Shure, Charles Veal - concert master
Murray Adler, Israel Baker, Brenton Banks, Sherrill Coltrin Baptist, Bonnie Douglass, Assa Drori, Reginald Hill, Karen Jones, Nathan Ross, Sheldon Sanov, Robert Sushel, Mari Botnick, Henry Ferber, Ron Folsom, Franklin Foster, Bob Sanov, Carol Shive, Dorothy Wade, Ken Yerke, Endre Granat, Arnold Belnick, Marcia Can Dyke, Charles Veal, Jr - violin
Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Virginia Majenski, Barbara Thomason, Allan Harshman, Myer Bello, David Schwartz - viola
Douglas Davis, Raymond Kelley, Jan Kelley, Earl Madison, Julie Buffum, Paula Hochhalter, Dennis Karmazyn, Danny Rothermuller, Nils Oliver - cello
George Del Barrio - string conductor

George Duke - Rendezvous

 Most of this album consists of the same general early 1980's danceable R&B funk fare and pop balladry that marked the rest of his catalog around this time, most of it on the smoother side. But on "Better Ways" George Duke throws down some truly NAS-TAY funk-rock with a scathing message and "Ipanema Lady" heads back to sunny Rio. Then again "Got To Get Back To Love", "Take It All" and the synth-spiked "Secret Rendevous" aren't bad period funk either, if a little commercial. Warning: NOT FOR JAZZ LISTENERS! But everyone else (especially fans of 80's funk) enjoy!  Andre S Grindle
Tracklist :
1. Got to Get Back to Love (Duke) - 5:31
2. Stay Awhile (Duke) - 2:59
3. Secret Rendezvous (Knight) - 4:53
4. Thinking of You (Duke) - 4:10
5. Take It On (Duke-Anderson) - 3:55
6. She Can Wait Forever (Leib) - 4:01
7. Better Ways (Duke) - 4:25
8. Your Life (Duke) - 2:49
9. Ipanema Lady (Duke) - 3:41
10. Secret Rendezvous (Single Edit) (Knight) - 4:11
Credits:
George Duke - vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, keyboards, Moog & ARP synthesizers, electronic drums, programming
Ernie Watts, Gary Herbig - tenor saxophone
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Chuck Findley - flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Larry Williams - flute, piccolo
Mike Sembello - guitar, background vocals
Paul Jackson, Charles Fearing - guitar
Stanley Clarke - piccolo bass
Nathan East, Byron Miller - bass
Steve Ferrone - drums, hi-hat
John Robinson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Paulinho da Costa - percussion, background vocals
Lynn Davis, Josie James, Oscar Castro-Neves - background vocals