ALBARE Plays Jobim: Vol 2
ALFI 10821
Albare (elg,g); Joe Chindamo (p); Pablo Bencid, Antonio Sanchez (d); Luisto Quintero (pc); Ricardo Rodriquez (b); Nestor Torres (f); Randy Brecker (t,flh)
No dates or locations listed.
Albare ( Albert Dadon ) was born in Morocco, moved to Israel as a small child and later to France. Later he moved to Australia where his wife comes from. He launched Alfi Records in 2014. When he first heard bossa nova he loved it but resisted playing it for several years. When he felt ready he lined up the ideal musicians and attempted to put his own slant on the music. To a large degree he succeeds here with a full string and woodwind orchestra playing softly in the background. His own solos on acoustic and electric guitar are laid back, smoothly flowing improvisations on the themes he loves. The Girl From Ipanema, for example, never a tune I have ever liked much, is played at very slow tempo and Albare’s lines are quietly played with some free flowing invention that does, indeed, put a personal interpretation on the piece. Summer Samba gets a similar treatment, this reading benefitting from Albare’s soft focus guitar and Nestor Torres swaying flute solo. So Danco Samba and Favela have lyrical trumpet solos by guest musician Randy Brecker. Meditation is also played as a warm ballad, quietly pulsing along with gentle guitar lines.
Much credit for the success of these performances must go to Joe Chindamo who arranged all the music, conducted the orchestra and plays piano on some tracks. The large ensemble plays with finesse, never overwhelming the low key solos but using musical colours from bass clarinet and English horn to good effect. They are there to add colour and enhance the soloists which they do to good effect. Without fireworks or blasts of musical energy, these tracks are ideal for quiet or general late night listening but not as background music; the solos are worth studying and listening to closely.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
ALFI 10821
Albare (elg,g); Joe Chindamo (p); Pablo Bencid, Antonio Sanchez (d); Luisto Quintero (pc); Ricardo Rodriquez (b); Nestor Torres (f); Randy Brecker (t,flh)
No dates or locations listed.
Albare ( Albert Dadon ) was born in Morocco, moved to Israel as a small child and later to France. Later he moved to Australia where his wife comes from. He launched Alfi Records in 2014. When he first heard bossa nova he loved it but resisted playing it for several years. When he felt ready he lined up the ideal musicians and attempted to put his own slant on the music. To a large degree he succeeds here with a full string and woodwind orchestra playing softly in the background. His own solos on acoustic and electric guitar are laid back, smoothly flowing improvisations on the themes he loves. The Girl From Ipanema, for example, never a tune I have ever liked much, is played at very slow tempo and Albare’s lines are quietly played with some free flowing invention that does, indeed, put a personal interpretation on the piece. Summer Samba gets a similar treatment, this reading benefitting from Albare’s soft focus guitar and Nestor Torres swaying flute solo. So Danco Samba and Favela have lyrical trumpet solos by guest musician Randy Brecker. Meditation is also played as a warm ballad, quietly pulsing along with gentle guitar lines.
Much credit for the success of these performances must go to Joe Chindamo who arranged all the music, conducted the orchestra and plays piano on some tracks. The large ensemble plays with finesse, never overwhelming the low key solos but using musical colours from bass clarinet and English horn to good effect. They are there to add colour and enhance the soloists which they do to good effect. Without fireworks or blasts of musical energy, these tracks are ideal for quiet or general late night listening but not as background music; the solos are worth studying and listening to closely.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
