HARRY ALLEN’S ALL-STAR BRAZILIAN BAND - Flying Over Rio
Arbors ARCD 19425
Harry Allen ( tnr ) Klaus Mueller ( pno ) Guilherme Montero ( gtr ) Nilson Matta ( bass ) Duduka Da Fonseca ( drs ) Maucha Adnet ( vocals )
Recorded New York, 17-18 December 2013
Like Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen elected to base his style on the older masters of the tenor saxophone like Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Don Byas, but also took on board players such as Zoot Sims and Al Cohn. He has always stated that other mainstream stalwart Scott Hamilton as a major influence and has made a number of albums with him as well as appearing live in his company.
MANY of his albums and live appearances have featured Brazilian themes but this is his first album using Brazilian music throughout.. All the other musicians on this album are immersed in this type of music and have also contributed some of their own compositions.
The album kicks of with a Jobim tune “Double rainbow” which features vocalist Maucha Adnet who is well versed in Brazilian music. Harry contributes a laid back solo as well as some subtle backing behind the singer. Guitarist Guilherme Montteiro solo is very much in the tradition of this type of music and adds to the overall success of the track.
Rodgers and Hart’s “A ship without a sail;” is given the full on ballad treatment with an easy Latin beat with Harry playing exquisitely and bringing out the full beauty of the song. Although “Bonita” has been recorded by singers Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald it is a Jobim song with little direction and although Maucha Adnet’s vocal and Harry’s tenor are fine they do little to raise the songs limitations.
Both pianist Klaus Mueller’s composition “Bute Papo” and bassit Nilson Matta’s composition “Copacabana” are firmly in the Brazilian tradition with the pianist getting a chance to shine on his own tune and guitarist Guilherme Monteiro has plenty to say of interest on both tunes.
Harry’s tenor over some splendid bass playing on Jobim’s “Mojave” is the highlight of the piece.The title tune “Flying over Rio” is an hypnotis tune by drummer on the session Duduka Da Fonseca is one of the best tracks on the album with interesting bass solo.
The album closes with Ivan Lin’s popular piece “Love Dance” with Harry givi9ng full reign to his creative abilities, Klaus Mueller’s piano solo is a beauty.
If you are into Brazilian music or superb tenor playing this release is highly recommended.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Arbors ARCD 19425
Harry Allen ( tnr ) Klaus Mueller ( pno ) Guilherme Montero ( gtr ) Nilson Matta ( bass ) Duduka Da Fonseca ( drs ) Maucha Adnet ( vocals )
Recorded New York, 17-18 December 2013
Like Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen elected to base his style on the older masters of the tenor saxophone like Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Don Byas, but also took on board players such as Zoot Sims and Al Cohn. He has always stated that other mainstream stalwart Scott Hamilton as a major influence and has made a number of albums with him as well as appearing live in his company.
MANY of his albums and live appearances have featured Brazilian themes but this is his first album using Brazilian music throughout.. All the other musicians on this album are immersed in this type of music and have also contributed some of their own compositions.
The album kicks of with a Jobim tune “Double rainbow” which features vocalist Maucha Adnet who is well versed in Brazilian music. Harry contributes a laid back solo as well as some subtle backing behind the singer. Guitarist Guilherme Montteiro solo is very much in the tradition of this type of music and adds to the overall success of the track.
Rodgers and Hart’s “A ship without a sail;” is given the full on ballad treatment with an easy Latin beat with Harry playing exquisitely and bringing out the full beauty of the song. Although “Bonita” has been recorded by singers Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald it is a Jobim song with little direction and although Maucha Adnet’s vocal and Harry’s tenor are fine they do little to raise the songs limitations.
Both pianist Klaus Mueller’s composition “Bute Papo” and bassit Nilson Matta’s composition “Copacabana” are firmly in the Brazilian tradition with the pianist getting a chance to shine on his own tune and guitarist Guilherme Monteiro has plenty to say of interest on both tunes.
Harry’s tenor over some splendid bass playing on Jobim’s “Mojave” is the highlight of the piece.The title tune “Flying over Rio” is an hypnotis tune by drummer on the session Duduka Da Fonseca is one of the best tracks on the album with interesting bass solo.
The album closes with Ivan Lin’s popular piece “Love Dance” with Harry givi9ng full reign to his creative abilities, Klaus Mueller’s piano solo is a beauty.
If you are into Brazilian music or superb tenor playing this release is highly recommended.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
