LUCIANA SOUZA — Brazilian Duos (2001) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Luciana Souza's well-received third record, Brazilian Duos, is a departure in two respects. First, the gifted vocalist is backed not by a jazz quartet, but rather by three different acoustic guitarists -- Romero Lubambo, Marco Pereira (playing eight-string), and Walter Santos (her father). Second, Souza turns away from original material and toward classic Brazilian songs by figures like Dori Caymmi, Luiz Gonzaga, Djavan, Jobim, Toninho Horta, and her parents, Walter Santos and Tereza Souza. The range of moods is astounding, from the tongue-twisting virtuosity of the opening "Baião Medley" and the playfulness of "O Bolo" to the heartbreaking strains of "Pra Dizer Adeus," "Docemente," and "Suas Mãos." Souza's voice, poised and attractive enough on its own, becomes a thing of transcendent beauty when matched with these sparse yet vibrant accompaniments. David R. Adler
Tracklist :
Baião Medley    (5:25)
1.1.    Repeita Januário
Written-By – Luiz Gonzaga, Humberto Teixeira
Guitar [8 Strings] – Marco Pereira
1.2.    Qui Nem Jiló
Written-By – Luiz Gonzaga, Humberto Teixeira
1.3.    Romance
Written-By – Djavan
2.    Suas Mãos 3:58
Written-By – Antônio Maria
Guitar – Walter Santos
3.    Pra Que Discutir Madame 2:42
Written-By – Haroldo Barbosa, Janet De Almeida
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
4.    Pra Dizer Adeus 3:41
Written-By – Edu Lobo, Torquato Neto
Guitar [8 Strings] – Marco Pereira
5.    Amanhã 3:03
Written-By – Tereza Souza, Walter Santos
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
6.    Eu Não Existo Sem Você 2:36
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
Guitar – Walter Santos
7.    Doce De Côco 4:02
Written-By – Hermínio Bello De Carvalho, Jacob Do Bandolim
Guitar [8 Strings] – Marco Pereira
8.    As Praias Desertas 3:31
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Guitar – Walter Santos
9.    Docemente 4:38
Written-By – Tereza Souza, Walter Santos
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
10.    O Bolo 2:06
Written-By – Tereza Souza, Walter Santos
Guitar – Walter Santos
11.    Viver De Amor 3:59
Written-By – Ronaldo Bastos, Toninho Horta
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
12.    Saudade De Bahia 2:46
Written-By – Dorival Caymmi
Guitar [8 Strings] – Marco Pereira
Credits :
Producer, Vocals, Arranged By – Luciana Souza

LUCIANA SOUZA — Duos II (2005) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1.    Sai Dessa    3:02
 Nathan Marques / Ana Terra 
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
2.    Nos Horizontes Do Mundo    4:00
 Paulinho da Viola 
Guitar – Swami Jr.
3.    A Flor E O Espinho / Juízo Final    4:45
 Nelson Cavaquinho / Guilherme DeBrito 
Guitar – Swami Jr.
4.    Muita Bobeira    2:50
 Luciana Souza 
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
5.    Modinha    3:29
 Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes 
Guitar – Marco Pereira 
6.    No Carnaval / Vento    4:27
 Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes 
Guitar – Guilherme Monteiro
7.    Sambadalú (Para Luciana Souza)    3:49
 Marco Pereira 
Guitar – Marco Pereira 
8.    Aparecida    5:48
 Ivan Lins 
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
9.    Trocando Em Miúdos    5:42
 Chico Buarque / Francis Hime 
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
10.    Chorinho Pra Ele    2:54
 Hermeto Pascoal 
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
11.    Atrás Da Porta    2:46
 Chico Buarque / Francis Hime 
Guitar – Marco Pereira 
12.    Você    3:34
Guitar – Guilherme Monteiro
 Walter Santos / Tereza Souza 
Credits :
Luciana Souza - Audio Production, Producer, Vocals
Romero Lubambo - Casa Gonzalez (Classical Guitar); Ramirez (Classical Guitar)
Marco Pereira - Sughyama (Seven-String Requinto Guitar); Walter Vogt (Classical Guitar)
Swami Jr. - Tessarin (Seven-String Guitar)
Guilherme Monteiro - Manoel Andrade (Classical Guitar); Gibson 175 (Electric Guitar)

LUCIANA SOUZA — Duos III (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Though Grammy-winning Brazilian vocal great Luciana Souza's third Duos recording marks the (approximately) ten-year anniversary of her Grammy-nominated Brazilian Duos, the trilogy concludes marvelously with duets by the singer and the lineup that appears on Duos II (2005): Toninho Horta, Romero Lubambo, and Marco Pereira. Traveling the world and playing in the duet format over the previous decade has helped Souza hone her ability with intimate yet lively voice-guitar conversations rich with clarity and eloquence. Stripping away the need for busier accompaniment, she and her cohorts eagerly embrace the core of each story and its sonic moment. With the exception of a sparse, plaintive meditation on Jobim's renowned "Dindi," most of the songs run from two-four minutes, allowing for quick guitar-vocal exchanges that make their point without dallying or overstating. The opening track, the easy flowing and breezy "Tim Tim Por Tim Tim," has a simple guitar line that allows the listener to zero in on Souza's dusky tones and expansive range. The snappy "Doralise" finds her voice fluttering through her higher register and daring the accompanying guitar line to keep up. She balances percussive tunes like that with the gentler sensuality and slightly mournful touches of tracks like "As Rosas Nao Falam" and the opening segment of the medley of "Lamento Sertanejo" and (the rollicking) "Maca do Rosto." No matter the tempo, no matter the tone chosen by each guitarist, Souza's voice on these classics of her native land are mesmerizing. Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
1.    Tim Tim Por Tim Tim    1:32
 Haroldo Barbosa / Geraldo Jacques 
Acoustic Guitar - Toninho Horta 
2.    Doralice    2:06
 Antonio Almeida / Dorival Caymmi 
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo 
3.    Chora Coração    2:42
 Antônio Carlos Jobim 
Acoustic Guitar [7-String Guitar] – Marco Pereira 
4.    Pedra Da Lua    2:55
 J. Cascata / Toninho Horta 
Acoustic Guitar & Backing Vocals – Toninho Horta  
5.    Dona Lu    3:56
 Gilberto Gil 
Acoustic Guitar [7-String Guitar] – Marco Pereira
6.    Mágoas De Caboclo    3:39
 Leonel Azevedo / J. Cascata 
Acoustic Guitar [7-String Guitar] – Marco Pereira
7.    Eu Vim Da Bahia 2:42
 Gilberto Gil 
Acoustic Guitar [7-String Guitar] – Marco Pereira
8.    As Rosas Não Falam    4:02
 Cartola 
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo 
9.    Medley: Lamento Sertanejo (Forró Do Dominguinhos) / Maçã Do Rosto    3:45
 Djavan / Dominguinhos / Gilberto Gil 
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo 
10.    Inútil Paisagem    2:51
 Antônio Carlos Jobim / Aloysio de Oliveira 
Acoustic Guitar - Toninho Horta 
11.    Dindi 6:06
 Antônio Carlos Jobim / Aloysio de Oliveira 
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo 
12.    Beijo Partido    5:03
 Toninho Horta 
Credits :
Vocals, Vocalese – Luciana Souza 

LARRY CORYELL — Live From Bahia (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Nice Afro-Latin set with Coryell on acoustic guitar, recorded in Bahia. The assembled cast includes drummer Billy Cobham, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, and several Brazilian musicians, notably vocalist Dori Caymmi. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1.The Harbor (5:41)
  Dori Caymmi 
2. Old City new City (4:48) 
  Larry Coryell 
3. The Crab Peddler (3:42) 
 Dori Caymmi 
4. Oshum, Goddess Of Love (4:09)
 Donald Harrison 
5. Bloco Loco (7:08)
  Larry Coryell 
6. Panama (3:37)
  Billy Cobham 
7. Bahian Night Walk (10:13)
 Nico Assumpção / Luiz Avellar / Márcio Montarroyos 
8. Gabriela's Song (3:00)
 Dori Caymmi 
9. Vera Cruz (9:01)
  Milton Nascimento 
 Line-up / Musicians
Larry Coryell  - Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Dori Caymmi - Acoustic Guitar and Vocals
Romero Lubambo - Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Billy Cobham - Drums
Donald Harrison - Soprano and Alto Sax
Marcio Montarroyos - Trumpet
Luiz Avellar  - Keyboards
Nico Assumpcao - Electric Bass
Monica Millet, Tiao Oliveira - Percussion
Bashiri Johnson - Additional Percussion
Francisco Centeno - Additional Electric Bass 

MAUCHA ADNET — The Jobim Songbook (2006) APE (image+.cue), lossless

The lack of liner notes doesn't give much clue as to how long Maucha Adnet has been active professionally as a vocalist, though a quote from Antonio Carlos Jobim indicates that she toured with the late, legendary composer. Her deep, soulful voice is very appealing, similar to that of Leny Andrade. Accompanied by a mix of Brazilian and American musicians, including pianist Helio Alves, flugelhornists Claudio Roditi and Michael Brecker, trombonist Jay Ashby, guitarists Mario Adnet and Romero Lubambo, bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Duduka Da Fonsaca, she is obviously very familiar with a wide range of Jobim's compositions, covering both internationally known hits and pieces that have received less exposure outside of Brazil. The focus is on the singer, with occasional piano or guitar solos, with the brass and reed instruments providing background colors. She scats in unison with an unidentified male singer during the introduction to "Chega De Saudade" before swinging its joyous lyrics, with Alves switching to electric piano. She brings more depth to "Aquas de Marco" (The Waters of March)" than most singers, while Adnet's understated interpretation of "Outra Vez" is also welcome.  Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1 Vivo Sonhando 4:37
2 Só Tinha de Ser Com Você 4:19
3 Insensatez 4:57  
4 Ela é Carioca 4:33  
5 Chega de Saudade 4:54  
6 Samba Do Avião 5:26  
7 Águas de Março 3:55
8 Meditacão 3:59  
9 Desafinado 4:59  
10 Corcovado 4:29  
11 Outra Vez 5:10  
12 Garota de Ipanema 6:01  
13 Água de Beber 4:51
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Nilson Matta
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Acoustic Guitar, Arranged By – Mario Adnet
Drums – Duduka Da Fonseca
Flugelhorn – Claudio Roditi, Randy Brecker
Piano – Alfredo Cardim, Helio Alves
Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Trombone – Jay Ashby
Vocals, Producer – Maucha Adnet
Written-By – A.C. Jobim, N. Medonça (tracks: 8, 9), V. de Moraes (tracks: 3, 5, 13)

LEE KONITZ & THE BRAZILIAN BAND - Brazilian Rhapsody (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD focuses primarily on Brazilian standards performed by the Konitz sextet, except for the Brazilian-flavored "Lunasea," written by Peggy Stern, which features her high school choir. "Berimbau" is swinging and percussive, while the well-known "Insensatez" takes many unexpected turns. "Triste" is also a familiar theme played with relish. Vocalist Adela Dalto makes a strong impression with her guest spot on "A Felicidade." Konitz's duet with the phenomenal acoustic guitarist Romero Lubambo on "Manha De Carnaval" is breathtaking. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Samba Triste 7:28
Billy Blanco / Baden Powell
2     Berimbau 7:27
Ray Gilbert / Vinícius de Moraes / Baden Powell
3     Menina Moca 6:10
Luiz Antonio
4     Triste 6:32
Antônio Carlos Jobim
5     Felicidade 6:27
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
6     Lunasea 5:59
Peggy Stern
7     Manha de Carnaval 4:07
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
8     Insensatez 6:14
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Dave Fink
Drums – Duduka Da Fonseca
Percussion – Waltinho Anastacio
Piano – Peggy Stern
Vocals – Adela Dalto (pistas: 3)

LEE KONITZ & THE BRAZILIAN BAND - Brazilian Serenade (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Konitz has long been a versatile jazz musician, adaptable to many different styles. This Brazilian-flavored session is one of two that the alto saxophonist recorded during the mid-'90s for Venus; his session partners include trumpeter Tom Harrell, guitarist Romero Lubambo, pianist David Kikoski (who mostly sticks to electric piano), bassist David Fink, drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, and percussionist Waltinho Anastácio. As expected, Konitz's light sound works well with the Brazilian favorites they perform, with Harrell being a particularly inspired foil for the leader. The works of Antonio Carlos Jobim are well represented, including breezy takes of "Favela" and "Wave." Harrell's lyrical "September" (featuring him in a fine muted solo) and Konitz's "Brazilian Serenade" also fit the mood of this relaxing CD very well. This rewarding release is well worth investigating. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Favela 7:28
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
2    Once I Loved 6:27
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
3    Recado Bossa Nova 5:20
Composed By – D. Ferreira
4    September 6:01
Composed By – T. Harrell
5    Dindi 7:16
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
6    Wave 5:34
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
7    Meditation 6:32
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
8    Brazilian Serenade 7:44
Composed By – L. Konitz
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – David Fink
Drums – Duduka Dafonseca
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Waltinho Anastacio
Trumpet – Tom Harrell

HERBIE MANN - America / Brasil (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

America/Brasil is a rollicking, celebratory album that keeps Herbie Mann on the winning streak he started with the release of Peace Pieces in 1995. Recorded during a week of concerts to mark his 65th birthday in April 1995, this disc is much stronger than its immediate predecessor, Celebration, also taken from the same week of live concert performances at New York's Blue Note jazz club. The material here is superb, and the playing top-notch. As the title implies, the emphasis here is on Mann's Brazilian side, but there are touches of the non-Brazilian with Bill Evans' "Peri's Scope" and Miles Davis' "All Blues." "Summertime" is recast in an Afro-Cuban mode with Paquito D'Rivera sharing the solo space on alto sax. However, lengthy Brazilian showstoppers are placed at the beginning, middle, and end of this wonderful disc. The opening "Keep the Spirits Singing" is propelled by the polyrhythmic pulse of percussionists Cyro Baptista and "Café," and the 17-minute title track finale features trumpeters Randy Brecker and Claudio Roditi, trombonist Jim Pugh, and guitarist Romero Lubambo. Even with the all-star cast assembled for this special week of concerts, it's Herbie Mann himself whose playing shines the brightest throughout this recording, celebrating his past and affirming his place in the present as the finest flutist working in jazz. by Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1    Keep The Spirits Singing 10:52
Bass – Paul Socolow
Composed By – O'Donel Levy
Drums – Ricky Sebastian
Flute – Herbie Mann
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Cyro Baptista, Edson Da Silva
Piano – Mark Soskin
2    Summertime 8:34
Acoustic Bass – Larry Grenadier
Alto Saxophone – Paquito D'Rivera
Composed By – DuBose Heyward, George Gershwin
Drums – Adam Cruz
Flute – Herbie Mann
Percussion – Milton Cardona, Ray Mantilla
Piano – Edward Simon
3    Peri's Scope 6:38
Acoustic Bass – Eddie Gomez
Composed By – Bill Evans
Drums – Victor Lewis
Flute – Herbie Mann
Guitar – Bruce Dunlap
Piano – Edward Simon
4    Baghdad/Candle Dance 2:06
Bass – Paul Socolow
Composed By – Herbie Mann
Flute – Herbie Mann
Percussion – Babatunde Olatunji, Cyro Baptista, Edson Da Silva
5    Ovo 7:30
Acoustic Bass – Nilson Matta
Composed By – Geraldo Vandré, Hermeto Pascoal
Drums – Duduka Da Fonseca
Flute – Herbie Mann
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Cyro Baptista, Edson Da Silva
6    All Blues 9:46
Acoustic Bass – Ron Carter
Alto Saxophone – Bobby Watson
Composed By – Miles Davis
Drums – Victor Lewis
Flute – Herbie Mann
Piano – Billy Taylor
Trumpet – Terell Stafford
7    America / Brasil 17:16
Arranged By – Sy Johnson
Bass – Sergio Brandao
Composed By – Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins
Drums – Ricky Sebastian
Flute – Herbie Mann
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Cyro Baptista, Edson Da Silva
Trombone – Jim Pugh
Trumpet – Claudio Roditi, Randy Brecker

JANE MONHEIT - Taking A Chance On Love (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While the early 2000s bore witness to a bevy of youthful standards singers with earnestly traditional vocals, New Yorker Jane Monheit preceded Norah Jones, Michael Buble, Katie Melua et al. She wowed the jazz world when she was barely out of her teens with her 2000 debut, NEVER NEVER LAND, and quickly ascended to stardom. Monheit's fourth record, 2004's TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE, expresses her love for movie musicals of the 1930s and '40s.
From both Monheit's song choices and the fervor she pours into these selections, it's virtually impossible to challenge the sincerity of her affection. Monheit opens by finding a truly original, offbeat angle to the oft-visited Fats Waller classic "Honeysuckle Rose" and continues to connect throughout the 11 subsequent tracks. She teams up with the aforementioned Michael Buble on a charged version of the always-lively "I Won't Dance" and finds every ounce of sultriness in "Why Can't You Behave?" and "Dancing in the Dark." As with most of the acclaimed jazz stylists of her day, Monheit possesses incredible vocal shrewdness, but it is her almost spiritual connection to the tunes of a bygone era that clearly sets her apart. by AllMusic  
Tracklist :
1    Honeysuckle Rose 3:38
Double Bass [Bass] – Christian McBride
Drums – Lewis Nash
Lyrics By – Andy Razaf
Music By – Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Piano – Geoffrey Keezer
2    In The Still Of The Night 5:06
Arranged By, Conductor [Orchestra] – Jorge Calandrelli
Written-By – Cole Porter
3    Taking A Chance On Love 3:19
Alto Saxophone – Donald Harrison
Arranged By, Piano – Michael Kanan
Double Bass [Bass] – Orlando Le Fleming
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Lyrics By – John Latouche, Ted Fetter
Music By – Vernon Duke
Rhythm Guitar – Miles Okazaki
4    Bill 5:16
Lyrics By – Oscar Hammerstein II, P.G. Wodehouse
Music By – Jerome Kern
Piano – Michael Kanan
5    I Won't Dance 3:35
Arranged By, Piano – Rob Mounsey
Double Bass [Bass] – Ron Carter
Drums – Lewis Nash
Horns – Andy Snitzer, Bob Malach, Dave Taylor, Jim Hynes, Lawrence Feldman, Lew Soloff, Michael Davis, Roger Rosenberg
Lyrics By – Jimmy McHugh - Dorothy Fields, Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach
Music By – Jerome Kern
Vocals [Duet With] – Michael Bublé
6    Too Late Now 5:21
Arranged By, Piano – Michael Kanan
Double Bass [Bass] – Orlando Le Fleming
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Lyrics By – Burton Lane
Music By – Alan Jay Lerner
Soprano Saxophone – Joel Frahm
7    Why Can't You Behave? 4:07
Arranged By, Piano – Michael Kanan
Double Bass [Bass] – Orlando Le Fleming
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Guitar – Miles Okazaki
Written-By – Cole Porter
8    Do I Love You? 4:52
Arranged By, Conductor [Orchestra] – Alan Broadbent
Written-By – Cole Porter
9    Love Me Or Leave Me 3:34
Alto Saxophone – Donald Harrison
Arranged By, Double Bass [Bass] – Christian McBride
Drums – Lewis Nash
Lyrics By – Gus Kahn
Music By – Walter Donaldson
Piano – Geoffrey Keezer
Tenor Saxophone – Joel Frahm
10    Embraceable You 3:47
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Lyrics By – Ira Gershwin
Music By – George Gershwin
11    Dancing In The Dark 5:03
Arranged By, Conductor [Orchestra] – Vince Mendoza
Lyrics By – Arthur Schwartz
Music By – Howard Dietz
- Bonus Track -
12    Over The Rainbow 3:54
Arranged By, Conductor [Orchestra] – Ed Shearmur
Lyrics By – E.Y. Harburg
Music By – Harold Arlen
Credits :
Contractor [Orchestra] – Joe Soldo
Vocals – Jane Monheit

JANE MONHEIT - The Lovers, The Dreamers And Me (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The beautifully subtle pop/jazz vocalist has been one of the great old souls of music since launching her recording career after winning the first runner up prize at the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition. But she celebrated the significant chronological milestone of passing 30 while making this graceful and exquisite album. Beyond that, Monheit also celebrates her new motherhood to son Jack, and that's what inspired the inclusion of the always welcome "Rainbow Connection"; she sings the charming song -- and its lyrics that inspired the name of the recording -- to Jack all the time. At home, however, it doesn't have the exquisite Gil Goldstein accordion touch that makes this one of the best renditions ever. Goldstein arranged many of the tracks, but one of the most exciting jazzy turns, Monheit's swinging, swaggering "Get Out of Town," was done by pianist Michael Kanan, who was part of the ensemble that recorded half of these tracks while the singer was still pregnant. In many ways, then, this 13-track collection is a chronicle of the singer pre- and post-motherhood -- and all something that Jack will be proud of as he grows older. As always, the key to a great interpreter's project is the choice of material, and Monheit makes interesting picks, ranging from a wistful take on Paul Simon's "I Do It for Your Love" to Fiona Apple's dark and haunting "Slow Like Honey" and Corinne Bailey Rae's "Like a Star." She also mines her traditional comfort zone with songs by Cole Porter, Jimmy Dorsey, and Leonard Bernstein, but taps into even richer emotions with Ivan Lins' "Acaso" and the bubbling samba "A Primeira Vez." Another triumphant set, no matter what side of 30 or motherhood Monheit is on. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
1    Like A Star 5:15
Written-By – Corinne Bailey Rae
2    Something Cool 4:56
Written-By – William C. Barnes
3    Slow Like Honey 5:58
Written-By – Fiona Apple
4    This Girl's In Love With You 4:56
Written-By – Burt Bacharach-Hal David
5    I'm Glad There Is You 5:08
Guitar – Frank Vignola
Written-By – Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Mertz
6    Get Out Of Town 3:40
Tenor Saxophone – Seamus Blake
Written-By – Cole Porter
7    I Do It For Your Love 4:04
Written-By – Paul Simon
8    I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart 5:21
Written-By – David Eldon Lasley, Julie Ann Lasley
9    Ballad Of The Sad Young Men 6:01
Written-By – Frances Landesman, Thomas J. Wolf, Jr.
10    No Tomorrow (Acaso) 5:12
Written-By – Abel Ferreira Da Silva, Ivan Lins, Peter Eldridge
11    Lucky To Be Me 5:26
Written-By – Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Leonard Bernstein
12    A Primeira Vez 3:03
Written-By – Armando Marcal, Bide
13    Rainbow Connection 4:09
Written-By – Kenneth Ascher, Paul Williams
Credits :
Accordion – Gil Goldstein (faixas: 9, 13)
Arranged By – Gil Goldstein (faixas: 1 to 4, 7 to 9, 13), Michael Kanan (faixas: 5, 6), Romero Lubambo (faixas: 10, 12)
Bass Clarinet – Charles Pillow (faixas: 1, 7, 9)
Double Bass [Bass] – Neal Miner (faixas: 5, 6, 10), Scott Colley (faixas: 1 to 4, 7 to 9)
Drums – Antonio Sànchez (faixas: 1 to 4, 7 to 9), Rick Montalbano (faixas: 5, 6, 10)
Flute – Gen Shinkai (faixas: 1, 7, 9)
Flute [Alto] – Gen Shinkai (faixas: 2), Kathleen Nester (faixas: 1, 3, 7, 9)
Flute [Bass] – Kathleen Nester (faixas: 2), Wendy Stern (faixas: 1 to 3, 7, 9)
Guitar – Peter Bernstein (faixas: 3, 4, 8, 13), Romero Lubambo (faixas: 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 12)
Other [Makeup & Hair] – Maria Verel
Other [Wardrobe Stylist] – Nikko
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7, 10)
Piano – Gil Goldstein (faixas: 1 to 4, 7, 8, 13), Michael Kanan (faixas: 5, 6, 10, 11)
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Stefon Harris (faixas: 2 to 4, 7, 9)
Viola – Kathryn Lockwood (faixas: 1, 3, 7 to 9)
Violin – Entcho Todorov (faixas: 1, 3, 7 to 9)
Vocals – Jane Monheit

JANE MONHEIT – The Heart Of The Matter (2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A technically proficient singer with a distinctive style that straddles the line between Ella Fitzgerald's extroverted, loosely swinging approach and Linda Eder's more restrained Broadway and cabaret style, Jane Monheit is a virtuoso. One minute she's dazzling you with her resonant bebop-ready chops and the next she's making you cry with a single verse of a ballad. On her ninth studio album, 2013's Heart of the Matter, Monheit brings all of her gifts to bear on a set of mature, heartfelt songs that rank among her best. The album also works as a companion piece to 2009's The Lovers, the Dreamers and Me. With that album, Monheit celebrated such milestones as the birth of her son Jack and turning 30. She then followed up with 2010's equally as compelling if more swinging and straight-ahead jazz-sounding Home. Heart of the Matter, with its ruminations on motherhood and fidelity, returns Monheit to the more intimate, contemporary pop sound of The Lovers, the Dreamers and Me. Working with producer/arranger Gil Goldstein (who also adds his lyrical accordion sound to several tracks) and her usual rhythm section of drummer Rick Montalbano (her husband), pianist Michael Kanan, and bassist Neal Miner, Monheit has crafted a sumptuous, immaculately arranged album that once again shines a light on her immense vocal talent. Whether she's framed by a lush orchestral backing on the bossa nova "Depende de Nós" or a spare electric piano and flute arrangement on "Two Lonely People," Heart of the Matter finds Monheit nestled deep into the pocket of her own cross-genre sound, and it's a warm place to be. Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1     Until It's Time for You to Go 6:01
Accordion – Gil Goldstein
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Buffy Sainte-Marie    
2     Depende de Nós 4:32
Accordion – Gil Goldstein
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Jane Monheit
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Ivan Lins, Victor Martins
3     Little Man You’ve Had a Busy Day 5:16
Alto Flute – Kathleen Nester
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Al Hoffman, Mable Wayne, Maurice Sigler
4     Two Lonely People 4:53
Alto Flute – Kathleen Nester
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Lyrics By – Carol Hall
Music By – Bill Evans
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
5     A Gente Merece Ser Feliz 5:27
Accordion – Gil Goldstein
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Jane Monheit
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Ivan Lins, Paulo Pinheiro
6     Golden Slumbers/Long and Winding Road 7:19
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – John Lennon And Paul McCartney
7     When She Loved Me 2:54
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Randy Newman
8     Born to Be Blue 4:22
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangement] – Neal Miner
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Lyrics By – Mel Tormé
Music By – Robert Wells
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Gil Goldstein
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
9     Close 4:19
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Lyrics By – Cliff Goldmacher
Music By – Larry Goldings
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
10     Night Night Stars 3:08
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Jane Monheit
11     I Get Along Without You Very Well 4:12
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangement] – Michael Kanan
Arranged By, Conductor [Conducted By] – Gil Goldstein
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Lyrics By – Jane Brown Thompson
Music By – Hoagy Carmichael
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Gil Goldstein
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
12     Sing 5:13
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Jane Monheit
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Written-By – Joe Raposo

TESSA SOUTER – Nights Of Key Largo (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since arriving in New York City, Tessa Souter has built a dedicated following. She was a relative latecomer to jazz, taking time out to raise a family at a young age and work as a journalist before studying at the Manhattan School of music and privately with vocal great Mark Murphy, though she has developed into a formidable singer in a relatively short time. Souter's gorgeous, natural vocals never show pretension or gimmickry, while her taste in songs is amazingly wide-ranging and occasionally risk-taking. For these 2008 sessions, her accompanists include the brilliant pianist Kenny Werner (who works especially well with vocalists), saxophonist Joel Frahm, Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo, veteran first-call bassist Jay Leonhart, and the in-demand drummer Billy Drummond. Souter's lush treatment of "Close Enough for Love" captures the essence of this beautiful standard (a favorite of the late Shirley Horn and many others). The haunting setting of "Morning of the Carnaval" opens with Werner's elegant piano and Leonhart's mournful arco bass, while Souter's spacious, lovely performance is also complemented by Frahm's moving soprano sax. The vocalist uncovered a gem in Benny Carter's neglected "Key Largo," which she casts in a setting that suggests a midnight stroll along the beach with her lover. But Souter is at her most stunning when she tackles songs that one doesn't normally hear in a jazz setting. Her infectious, slinky take of Van Morrison's "Moondance" opens with her sexy vocals over Leonhart's walking bass, with judicious use of reverb that is never overdone. John Lennon's "Imagine" has long been a pop standard, though jazz arrangements have been few and mostly disappointing, but Souter is buoyed by her imaginative rhythm section, though she takes few liberties with it until she is well into the song. Tessa Souter will win you over, as well, if you give her the opportunity. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1    The Island    5:59
2    Close Enough For Love    7:12
3    Moondance    4:11
4    So Many Stars    4:24
5    The Look Of Love    3:53
6    You Only Live Twice    4:50
7    Key Largo    3:58
8    Slow Hot Wind    4:33
9    Moon And Sand    4:25
10    I'm Glad There Is You    5:18
11    All Or Nothing At All    4:50
12    Morning Of The Carnival    4:40
13    Imagine    4:40
Credits :
Bass – Jay Leonhart
Drums – Billy Drummond
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Piano – Kenny Werner
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Joel Frahm
Vocals – Tessa Souter

PAQUITO D'RIVERA — TICO! TICO! (1989) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Paquito D'Rivera's alto and clarinet skills were ably displayed on this session, which featured him working in Afro-Latin, salsa, funk, swing and hard bop. Compositions ranged from intense, jam-flavored numbers with torrid solos, like "Recife's Blue" and the title tune, to introspective ballads, group pieces with rhythmically explosive sections and numbers displaying classical influences. The unifying force was D'Rivera, who also played tenor, but was most prominent on clarinet, doing both swing-oriented and looser, freer solos. While not as strict a jazz vehicle as his Columbia dates, this session presented a more eclectic, versatile Paquito D'Rivera. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     Danza Caracteristica 5:47
Leo Brouwer
2     Añorado Encuentro 4:47
Alberto Vera, Bea Giraldo
3     Three Venezuelan Waltzes: Valse Criollo 1:03
Antonio Lauro
4     Three Venezuelan Waltzes: El Mardino 1:13
Antonio Lauro
5     Three Venezuelan Waltzes: Carola 1:46
Antonio Lauro
6     Tico-Tico 5:31
Jose Abreu / Ervin Drake / Aloysio Oliveira
7     Song for Maura 6:55
Paquito D'Rivera
8     To Brenda With Love 7:21
Paquito D'Rivera
9     Serenata 7:11
Carlos Franzetti
10     Elizabeth 4:56
Danilo Pérez
11     Chorinho No. 3: Sheep Meadow 2:17
David Chesky
12     Recife's Blue 7:14
Claudio Roditi
Credits :
Bass – David Finck (faixas: 1, 2, 5, 9, 10), Nilson Matta (faixas: 6 to 8, 12)
Drums – Mark Walker (faixas: 1. 2. 5. 9. 10), Porthino (faixas: 6 to 8, 12)
Executive-Producer – Norman Chesky
Guitar – Fareed Haque (faixas: 1), Romero Lubambo (faixas: 6, 8, 11), Tiberio Nascimiento (faixas: 4, 5)
Percussion – Raphael Cruz
Piano – Danilo Perez
Producer, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Paquito D'Rivera

PAQUITO D'RIVERA - La Habana : Rio Conexion (1992-2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

La Habana: Rio Conexion is saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera's attempt to bring the gospel of historical bolero to American listeners. These 12 cuts are steeped in the grand Cuban tradition and reinsert its cultural and historical center into a music that has been watered down to the point of being nondescript. But, of course, this is also a jazz recording, and D'Rivera is a jazz musician. The rhythmic and harmonic extrapolations are minimal, however, and focus on the integral form of the music whether it be the album's opening danza, Ernesto Lecuona's "La Comparsa," or the chorinho that closes the proceedings, Pixinguinha's "Segura Ele." In between are wonderfully romantic boleros, ballads of almost unbearable longing. D'Rivera surrounds himself with brilliant players, such as Danílo Perez, Fareed Haque, Pablo Zinger, Johnny Rodriguez, Claudio Roditi, and Jose Madera, to name a few. He also employs a full string section on many tunes. These range from sextets with strings to simple trio pieces, all of them having in common the form of the bolero as it migrated from Havana to Rio and interacted with samba. D'Rivera performs tunes by everyone from Ivan Lins to the great Cuban composers Ignacio Cervantes and Portillo de la Luz. This is an unabashedly romantic recording, which nonetheless possesses serious chops and killer arrangements by the late Chico O'Farrill, Pablo Zinger, and Carlos Franzetti. Highly recommended.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1     La Comparsa 3:32
Ernesto Lecuona
2     Canção de Noite 4:35
Ivan Lins
3     Danzas Cubanas: A los Tres Golpes 1:21
Ignacio Cervantes
4     Danzas Cubanas: Invitación 0:48
Ignacio Cervantes
5     Noche Cubana 3:08
César Portillo De La Luz
6     Contigo en la Distancia 4:33
César Portillo De La Luz
7     Canción Simple 5:35
Nicolás Reynoso
8     Como un Milagro 4:15
Juanito Márquez
9     Impressions from Tien-An-Men Square 5:39
Paquito D'Rivera
10     No Puedo Ser Felíz 4:16
Adolfo Guzmán
11     Como Fué 4:33
Ernesto Duarte
12     Ciego Reto 3:42
Tania León
13     Segura Ele 3:10
Benedicto Lacerda / Pixinguinha
Credits :
Contrabass – David Finch
Drums – Mark Walker
Guitar – Fareed Haque, Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Johnny Rodriguez, José Madera
Piano – Danilo Perez, Pablo Zinger
Piano, Keyboards – Carlos Franzetti
Saxophone – Paquito D'Rivera
Trumpet – Claudio Roditi

PAQUITO D'RIVERA & THE UNITED NATION ORCHESTRA - A Night in Englewood (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After Dizzy Gillespie's death in 1991, his colorful Afro-Cuban United Nation Orchestra (which was formed in 1988) was headed by altoist-clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera. With the better-known sidemen on this 1993 CD including first trumpeter Byron Stripling, trombonist Conrad Herwig and tenor saxophonist Mario Rivera, additional solo space was allocated to some of the other talented players as were guest spots for trumpeter Claudio Roditi, trombonist Slide Hampton and vibraphonist Dave Samuels. A Night in Englewood is an easily recommended set. The music is very Latin-oriented and shows that the orchestra had moved away from Gillespie's usual repertoire to exclusively feature originals by bandmembers (including D'Rivera's "I Remember Diz"). Definitely worth investigating. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Snow Samba    6:38
Paquito D'Rivera / Claudio Roditi
2    Alma Llanera    6:18
Pedro Elias Gutiérrez
3    I Remember Diz    5:04
Paquito D'Rivera
4    Blues For Astor    6:31
Diego Urcola
5    Modo Cubano    5:30
Leopoldo "Pucho" Esclante
6    La Puerta    3:17
Luis Demetrio
7    Bonitinha    5:02
Carlos Franzetti
8    Milonga Para Paquito    6:53
Diego Urcola
9    To Brenda With Love    7:09
Paquito D'Rivera
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Marshall McDonald
Congas – Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (faixas: 6)
Drums – Adam Cruz (faixas: 1, 3 to 9), Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (faixas: 2)
Electric Bass – Oscar Stagnaro
Guest, Bandoneon – Raul Jaurena (faixas: 4, 8)
Guest, Marimba, Vibraphone – Dave Samuels (faixas: 2, 6, 9)
Guest, Trombone – Slide Hampton (faixas: 1, 3)
Guest, Trumpet – Claudio Roditi (faixas: 1)
Guitar – Romero Lubambo (faixas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)
Leader, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Paquito D'Rivera
Percussion, Guiro, Bata, Claves, Congas, Bongos – Bobby Sanabria
Piano – Carlos Franzetti (faixas: 4, 7, 8), Mike Orta (faixas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9)
Tenor Saxophone – Andres Boiarsky (faixas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9), Steve Sacks (faixas: 4, 7, 8)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Mario Rivera (faixas: 8)
Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone – William Cepeda
Trombone – Conrad Herwig
Trumpet – Byron Stripling
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Diego Urcola (faixas: 3, 8), Mike Ponella (faixas: 8, 9) 

HELIO ALVES - It's Clear (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since coming to the U.S. during the 1980s to study at Berklee, Brazilian pianist Helio Alves has built a formidable discography as a sideman with Joe Henderson, Claudio Roditi, Slide Hampton, and Louis Hayes (among others), while his work as a leader has been consistently rewarding as well. After working frequently with a trio on his own recordings, he expanded to a quartet with the addition of masterful guitarist (and fellow countryman) Romero Lubambo, plus bassist Scott Colley and drummer Ernesto Simpson. Alves opens with Lubambo's driving "Sweeping the Chimney," which is highlighted by terrific solos all around and an engaging theme. The leader contributed several originals, including the unusual, rather abstract "Helium," in which Alves' piano lines seem to float in unpredictable ways. Alves also explores the works of several Brazilian greats, including an intimate, romantic arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Falando de Amor," a relaxing setting of Luis Ecca's "The Dolphin" (a favorite of Stan Getz and Denny Zeitlin), and a sparkling duet with Lubambo of Jaco Do Bandolim's "Doce de Coco." Highly recommended. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist:
1    Sweeping the Chimney 6:09   
Romero Lubambo
2    Duality 6:15
Helio Alves
3    Doce de Coco 4:21
Jacob Do Bandolim
4    Helium 5:56
Helio Alves
5    Intro 0:53
Helio Alves
6    It's Clear 7:34
Helio Alves
7    Ta Boa, Santa 6:35
Egberto Gismonti
8    Falando de Amor 4:43
Antônio Carlos Jobim
9    Coisa #10 5:51
Moacir Santos
10    The Dolphin 5:56
Luiz Eça
Credits:
Bass – Scott Colley
Drums – Ernesto Simpson
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Piano – Helio Alves
 

TRIO DA PAZ - Brasil From The Inside (1992) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist:
1    Pedra Bonita 4:39
Mario Adnet
2    Keep the Spirits Singing 4:27
O'Donel Levy
3    Aquarela Do Brasil 3:50
Ary Barroso
4    Vera Cruz 5:06
Milton Nascimento
5    This Is for Luisa 4:52
Nilson Matta
6    Jeca's Baiao 4:40
Romero Lubambo
7    Forgive Me 4:49    
Duduka Da Fonseca / Astrud Gilberto
8    Trio da Paz 5:12
Romero Lubambo
9    Cor Do Pecado 4:14
10    Manhattan Style 5:05
Duduka Da Fonseca
11    Festa de Sao Joao 5:36
Credits
Maúcha Adnet - Vocals
Joanne Brackeen - Piano
Duduka Da Fonseca - Drums, Percussion
Romero Lubambo - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Synthesizer)
Herbie Mann - Flute, Flute (Alto)
Nilson Matta - Bass, Bass (Acoustic), Bass (Electric), Electric Upright Bass
Claudio Roditi - Flugelhorn, Trumpet

TRIO DA PAZ - Black Orpheus (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

No discussion of the history of Brazilian music is complete without mentioning the 1959 Brazilian film Black Orpheus, which brought attention to the music of Brazilian composers Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá and popularized the Bonfá classics "Manha de Carnaval" and "Samba de Orfeo." The Black Orpheus soundtrack was a major source of inspiration for Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd. and other key figures in the bossa nova explosion of the early to mid-'60s, and it's also Brazilian group Trio da Paz's primary inspiration on this jazz-oriented release, which flutist Herbie Mann produced for his Kokopelli label. Consisting of guitarist Romero Lubambo, bassist Nilson Matta, and drummer Dudaka da Fonseca, Paz favors what could be called Brazilian hard bop. Though the Brazilians are quite melodic, they favor a much more intense and hard-swinging approach to the samba, and to Bonfá and Jobim's gems than Getz did in the early to mid-'60s. Subtlety and restraint characterized Getz's bossa nova, but Trio da Paz is passionately aggressive on this excellent CD. by Alex Henderson
Tracklist:
1    A Felicidade 0:58
Lyrics By – Vinicius De Moraes
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
2    Frevo 5:11    
Antônio Carlos Jobim
3    A Felicidade 7:49
Lyrics By – Vinicius De Moraes
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
4    Manha de Carnaval 4:20
Luiz Bonfá
5    O Nosso Amor 4:02
Antônio Carlos Jobim
6    Chão de Estrelas 7:38
Orestes Barbosa / Silvio Caldas
7    Samba de Orfeu 5:27    
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
8    Doña María 3:43
Duduka Da Fonseca
9    A Felicidade (vocal) 1:58
Lyrics By – Vinicius De Moraes
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
10    Manha de Carnaval 4:22
Luiz Bonfá
11    Namacumba 1:52
Naná Vasconcelos
12    Hugs & Kisses 4:20
Nilson Matta
13    Samba de Orfeo 2:41
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
Credits:
Bass – Nilson Matta
Drums, Percussion – Duduka Da Fonseca
Flute – Herbie Mann
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Cyro Baptista, Jorge Silva, Naná Vasconcelos
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Claudio Roditi
Vocals – Alana Da Fonseca, Geoff Mann, Maucha Adnet

TRIO DA PAZ - Café (2002) Mp3

Trio da Paz's fourth record offers an alluring mix of originals, Brazilian classics, and jazz material seldom heard in a Latin context (Clifford Brown's "Blues Walk," for instance). Guitarist Romero Lubambo, one of Brazilian jazz's premier fingerstylists, is the main attraction, but he shares equal billing with bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca. Not for a moment do the trio's three special guests -- Joe Lovano, Dianne Reeves, and Hammond organist César Camargo Mariano -- come across as mere celebrity walk-ons; their contributions are genuine and substantial. Highlights include Reeves' haunting chromaticism on the very slow "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," Lubambo's fretless guitar work on the Egberto Gismonti-penned title track, and the closing romp on Chick Corea's "Humpty Dumpty." Lubambo's lively original, "48th Street Baião," provides the strongest example of his brilliant, rhythmically inventive single-note playing. by David R. Adler
Tracklist:
1    Saudade da Bahia 4:15
Dorival Caymmi
2    Love Is Here to Stay 4:54
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
feat: Dianne Reeves        
3    Arioso 4:56
Johann Sebastian Bach
4    Baden 6:47
Nilson Matta
5    Wave 4:51
Antônio Carlos Jobim
feat: Joe Lovano    
6    Blues Walk 5:56
Clifford Brown
feat: César Camargo Mariano    
7    Café 4:49    
Egberto Gismonti
8    Influencia do Jazz 5:21
Carlos Lyra
9    Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise 5:06
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
feat: Dianne Reeves        
10    48th Street Baião 6:19
Romero Lubambo
feat: Joe Lovano    
11    Gentle Rain 5:22
feat: César Camargo Mariano        
12    Humpty Dumpty 4:40
Chick Corea
Credits:
Acoustic Bass – Nilson Matta
Drums – Duduka Da Fonseca
Guitar – Romero Lubambo

TRIO DA PAZ - Somewhere (2005) Mp3

 The well-traveled musicians who make up Trio da Paz (guitarist Romero Lubambo, bassist Nilson Matta, and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca) have eclectic tastes that range well beyond their native Brazil -- and they choose to exercise them without restraint on this album. Starting out with Miles Davis' "Seven Step to Heaven," the trio swings back and forth between Brazil and the U.S. without a care, filtering almost everything through the bossa nova and samba idioms. The Grover Washington, Jr. hit "Winelight" takes very well to a medium-tempo bossa nova treatment. Even, so help us, "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" is within their range, transformed into a swift samba. However Trio da Paz give Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere" a straightforward, American pop standard rhythm, perhaps because they couldn't figure out how to Brazilian-ize it, and the off-kilter three-quarter meter take on the five-four meter "Take Five" nearly stumbles on itself. Among the Brazilian-made tunes, there is some exquisite out-of-the-way Antonio Carlos Jobim ("Look to the Sky") as well as standard-issue Jobim ("Corcovado"), rapid-fire Baden Powell in "Babel (Samba Novo)" and "O Astronauta," and a marvelous treatment of Durval Ferreira's "Batida Diferente." Whatever the sources of the material, this trio generates combustible fission that many of today's post-bossa nova recordings don't have. by Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist:
1    Seven Steps to Heaven 3:49
Miles Davis
2    Partido Alto 5:52
3    Look to the Sky 5:08
A.C. Jobim
4    Babel (Samba Novo) 3:19
Baden Powell
5    Winelight 5:11
William H. Eaton Jr.
6    Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead 3:55    
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
7    Brazilian National Anthem 4:30
Fransisco Manuel Da Silva
8    Take Five 5:23
Paul Desmond
9    Batida Diferente 4:17    
Maurício Einhorn / Durval Ferreira
10    O Astronauta 3:00
Baden Powell
11    Somewhere 6:12
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
12    Loro 4:51
Egberto Gismonti
13    Corcovado 5:32
Antônio Carlos Jobim
Musicians:
Romero Lubambo - Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Nilson Matta - Acoustic Bass
Duduka Da Fonseca - Drums