Ben Lamar Gay | Edinho Gerber
Benjamim e Edinho
(International Anthem, 2018)
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When Resonance Records’ George Klabin pitched Eddie Daniels on this project saluting Egberto Gismonti, the legendary reedist was enthused yet somewhat trepidatious. Gismonti’s music — a sui generis form of fantasia that proves evocative in its blending of Brazilian forms, a jazz harmonist’s argot, and European classical languages — is no easy nut to crack or translate. But Daniels, of course, is no slouch. A doyen of the clarinet and an expert at navigating tricky divides like the potentially deadly jazz-classical fault line, he proved more than up to the task.
Heart of Brazil finds Daniels primarily interpreting music that Gismonti produced in the ’70s and early ’80s. The settings, put together by the likes of ace arrangers Ted Nash, Kuno Schmid,…
…and Josh Nelson, are ravishing; the core quartet—Daniels, Nelson on piano, Kevin Axt on bass, and Mauricio Zottarelli on drums—sets the music aloft; and the strings of the Harlem Quartet prove absolutely integral, weaving in, out, around, and through these spellbinding songs. Once merely a hypothetical dream project for Klabin, his aspirations have been realized and, perhaps, exceeded.
Opening on “Lôro (Parrot),” a song penned in honor of Hermeto Pascoal, Daniels’ clarinet genially bounds around in concert with Nelson’s keys while outwardly projecting unbridled virtuosity and warmth. Then the strings introduce “Baião Malandro (Badass Baião),” a number bolstered by Axt’s lively bass. It offers Daniels and Nelson some room to open up, all the while nodding to the titular form painted with a variegated scheme.
“Água e Vinho (Water and Wine)” marks the first appearance of Daniels’ tenor, emulating the male voice in this most hauntingly beautiful of scenarios. He holds onto that horn for “Ciranda (Folk Dance),” playing on passion over dawning rubato, but he returns to his clarinet when things heat up on the wildly expansive “Folia (Revelry).” That showpiece par excellence—a bold and audacious bricolage with a genius arrangement from Nelson—proves to be a real standout on an album full of them.
As the program progresses, so too does the feasibility of each song offering a world unto itself. “Maracatú (Sacred Rhythm)” draws on its eponymous Afro-Brazilian form and rhythm(s) while offering a melodious high ground and teetering motifs; “Adágio” is impressionism set free on a starlit walkway, influenced by Ravel and unabashedly romantic in its embrace of strings; “Chôro” coasts in with the gentlest of introductions before adopting its namesake style in its breeziest state; and “Cigana (Gypsy Woman)” paints a beautifully pensive picture of the roaming Romany. Every gift from Gismonti proves completely distinctive in nature, and each of these arrangements and performances illuminates the core qualities of his compositions.
Personnel: Eddie Daniels: clarinet, tenor saxophone; Josh Nelson: piano; Kevin Axt: bass; Mauricio Zottarelli: drums; Harlem Quartet: Ilmar Gavilan violin; Melissa White: violin; Jamey Amador: viola; Felix Umansky: cello.
Jimi Tenor
Order of Nothingness
(Philophon, 2018)
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Myra Melford
12 From 25
(Firehouse 12 Records, 2018)
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320 kbps | 114 MB | LINKS
I’ve always thought of Dave Hill of Valley Lodge as a comedian who happens to write good songs. One listen to his band’s latest and you may come to the same realization as I. Hill is first and foremost a songwriter and Fog Machine is an excellent power pop record.
dave hill valley lodgeStraddling the line between catchy and kitschy, metal and power pop, bubblegum and glam, Hill & Co. take us through 14 killer tracks of rock ‘n’ roll goodness. The song “I’m Gone” is a case in point. This break up song may contain the lyric of the year. “Not sure how much more I can stand. I mean, c’mon. I live in a van”. And the opening bells are perfect.
“It’s Alright” has a decidedly bubblegum flavor to it, not dissimilar to The Sweet’s “Blockbuster”.
But on an album full of killer cuts and entertaining lyrics, “Let’s Go To The Woods” is the coup de grace. With a slightly sinister vibe and filthy, dirty guitar, it’s brilliant. In this day of PC, the lyrics are a breath of fresh air, too. “Wake me, shake me, resuscitate me. Let me be your man. Let’s swing by the fridge and grab a bottle, box or can….It’s cold, it’s dark. Got kicked out of the park. We got nowhere to be. Let’s go to the woods, you and me.”
Posted by Richard Rossi
320 kbps | 138 MB | LINKS
Tracks:
1. For The Sake Of The Song (5:19)
2. Pancho & Lefty (3:38)
3. To Live Is To Fly (3:13)
4. Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel (5:19)
5. I’ll Be Here In The Morning (2:56)
6. St. John The Gambler (3:02)
7. If I Needed You (3:42)
8. Black Widow Blues (2:25)
9. Tecumseh Valley (4:51)
10. Flyin’ Shoes (4:25)
11. Waiting Around To Die (2:43)
12. Lungs (2:30)
13. You Are Not Needed Now (4:11)
14. Tower Song (4:06)
15. Nothin’ (2:47)
16. Rex’s Blues (2:34)
1 Rebotando 4:15
2 Vapor 4:35
3 Monegros 4:56
4 Amnesia 4:36
5 Polos Opuestos 4:16
6 Animal 3:10
7 Mientras Quede Color 3:30
8 Mundo Caníbal 3:58
9 Agujero Negro 4:16
10 Profano 3:40
11 Vapor Dos 4:07
Segundo larga duracion de los aragoneses
1 Dígame Usted
2 Brújula
3 La Serpiente
4 Juanita Y Manuel
5 Vino Blanco
6 Que No Cunda El Pánico
7 Ojos Que No Ven
8 Con La Lengua Fuera
9 La Jungla De Piernas
10 Barro Colorado
11 Nunca SE Sabe
12 Bad Boys*
Tercer trabajo de la banda
320 kbps | 196 MB | LINKS
Disc 1
01 – Tuning
02 – Love the One Your’re With
03 – Stranger
04 – Make Love to You
05 – Midnight Rider (Allman Bros.)
06 – Change Partners
07 – Only Love Can Break Your Heart
08 – 50/50
09 – Don’t Want No Woman Telling Me What To Do
10 – Can’t Let Go
Disc 2
01 – Dark Star
02 – For What It’s Worth
03 – Treetop Flyer
04 – Band Introductions
05 – Southern Cross
320 kbps | 108 MB | LINKS
Tracks:
Tracklist:
1. 12 Bar Blues (3:59)
2. Slow Moe (3:05)
3. Carolina Steel (4:05)
4. Bombed (4:12)
5. Northwest Country Boy (3:51)
6. The River (3:26)
7. Love And Loose Change (3:49)
8. Pour Me A Whiskey (5:18)
9. Makin’ Noise (4:21)
10. Certified Blues (4:47)
11. Life’s Hard (Let’s Dance) (3:37)
