Here is a name you should definitely have in your CD library: Chico Pinheiro. After working with Luciana Mello, Jair Rodrigues, Pedro Mariano and Danilo Caymmi, among others, Pinheiro released his first solo album in 2003. Born in 1974, he credits as some of his musical influences João Gilberto, Moacir Santos, Tom Jobim, Jackson do Pandeiro, Cartola, Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery, just to name a few. With a degree in performance and arranging from Boston's prestigious Berkelee School of Music, Pinheiro has already received many accolades in his career. As a composer, he received the top prize in the University of São Paulo's Projeto Nascente in 1994. Four years later, he took second place in the Prêmio Eldorado-Visa, again in the composer category. Not bad for an artist releasing his first solo album in 2003.

Meia-Noite, Meio-Dia opens with a soft overture, "Contemplação." The simple string arrangement by Gilson Peranzzetta sets the tone for Pinheiro's guitar solo in this track. As the song title implies, the tone is contemplative and serene. To my ears, "Contemplação" also had a beautiful Guinga influence. The album has a nice balance of ballads and sambas. The guest vocalists -- Luciana Alves, Maria Rita Mariano, Ed Motta, Chico César and Lenine -- are a nice addition to the beautiful music written by Pinheiro. With each track bringing its own surprises, the CD pleases from the first to the last track. It is really hard to choose one particular track as standing out above the others. "Ao Vento" has a very dynamic introduction with Pinheiro's fast guitar solo playing along Alves' delightful voice. Maria Rita Mariano's vocals are, as expected, stunning, especially in the up tempo"Popó," with Aldir Blanc's lyrics providing the background to Pinheiro's spicy melody. Ed Motta is quite at ease in the bluesy "Essa Canção." The same is true of Lenine's vocalise in "Buritizais."

Pinheiro chose a fine team of lyricists to enrich his beautiful melodies. It is quite remarkable that an album such as Meia-Noite, Meio-Dia maintains the focus on the music itself. With such a variety of performers presenting his work, Pinheiro skillfully kept his music on the foreground. The musicians who lent a hand to this project must also be commended. Armando Marçal (percussion), Marcelo Mariano (bass), Fábio Torres (piano), Edu Ribeiro (drums) as well as other guest musicians, such as Jacques Morelenbaum (cello), Teco Cardoso (sax and flutes) and Proveta (clarinet), all added up to an already excellent release. Thanks to his musicianship and top-notch guitar solos, Pinheiro delivers a remarkable album. If you only bought 10 albums in 2003, Pinheiro's Meia-Noite, Meio-Dia ought to be one of those.

You can read more about this release in Chico Pinheiro's web site.

E.L.