Week of January 13, 2020

Fato: + Próximo
San-São Trio: Novos Caminhos

Just in time for your listening pleasure this weekend, my playlist for the week of January 13, 2020, includes two ensembles that cover a wide spectrum of Brazilian music. The first group, Fato,  has had a regular presence in MúsicaBrasileira.org for a few years. I first reviewed their debut album Oquelatá Quelateja back in 2005. Then I also wrote about subsequent albums Oquelatá Vivo and Da Tamancalha ao Sampler. This new release, + (Mais) Próximo, packs over 70 minutes of vibrant Fato music and special guests. Released in 2018, the package also includes a DVD with over 100 minutes of the show. As I mentioned in a previous review, one of the greatest appeals of Fato is seeing the group’s performances. Having a DVD packaged along with a CD is a good incentive. To define Fato’s music is a tough act. The group is known for mixing Brazilian urban music with tradition and invention. Their sound is an amalgam of jazz, pop, and MPB (Brazilian Popular Music). For this particular release, the group invited guests from other areas in Brazil, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. From the group’s hometown of Curitiba, the amazing Pedro Luís (of Pedro Luís e A Parede) is a stellar presence. Two of his compositions are perfect examples of what Fato can do: “Miséria no Japão” and “Caio no Suíngue.” Another guest, this one hailing from São Paulo, is Maurício Pereira. From Rio de Janeiro, Alexandre Nero and João Cavalcanti do the honors. All of these artist blend in perfectly with the great sound Fato creates.

On the other side of the spectrum, on a more traditional vein of Brazilian music and jazz in a chamber music setting, I introduce you the new trio formed by Amilton Godoy (piano), Léa Freire (flutes and piano), and Harvey Wainapel (saxes and clarinet). First off, the trio name is the combination of San Francisco and São Paulo city names, from where the artists come. Although the music sounds traditional, it is all original compositions. Freire contributes with seven tracks and Godoy adds the remaining four in this well balanced and captivating collection of eleven masterful tracks. Godoy, in the words of Hermeto Pascoal, “is one of the best pianists in the land.”  Freire, as Joyce Moreno says, is “amazing” and “a hidden Brazilian treasure.” As for Wainapel, he “understands Brazilian music in a way that’s very unusual; he’s got the spirit,” says Ivan Lins. Incidentally, don’t forget to check out previous reviews of Wainapel’s albums here on MB. With such outstanding qualifications, this repertoire of choros, sambas, and other genres, can only be described as superb. To sum it all, Antonio Adolfo said: “Perfection could be an ideal word to define the work of these three masters.” Are you still in doubt about the quality of this release? Run and get your copy to listen to this exceptional release.