Marcos Valle | Escape

Tags

Bossa Nova, Brazilian Music, Composer, Male Vocalist, Marcos Valle

Marcos Valle | Escape – [Far Out Recordings, 2002]

Marcos Valle - Escape

I was taken by surprise by this album by Marcos Valle, one of the most significant song writers in Brazilian music. I found it curious it was released on the UK Brazilcentric indie label Far Out Recordings that’s also been releasing new recordings from Joyce. This album is rich in melody and arrangement. Key tracks are the intro title track ‘Escape‘ and also ‘On Line‘. Over all this is one album that just flows and Marcos is in top form. I easily have this CD on rotate and it’s one you just want to hear again after a single listen. It’s become one of my favorite albums. I’m looking forward to hearing his latest 2003 release also on Far Out ‘Contrasts‘. Serious Marcos Valle fans may want to hear MPB crooner Emílio Santiago’s 2000 Sony Epic release ‘Bossa Nova‘. He performs a sublime new composition by Valle called ‘Doce Viver‘.

The accompanying DVD is a live Epic promotional performance (in front of an audience of Santiago’s friends – noted celebrities and the cream of Rio society) at the Copacobana Balace. The performance features Valle performing ‘Doce Viver‘. However, back to ‘Escape‘ – it’s a CD that won’t disappoint and only further substantiates Valle’s contribution to Brazilian song. —Brasileirismo

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..

Nicola Conte | Rituals

Tags

Bossa Nova, Emarcy Records, Guitar, Jazz, Jose James

Nicola Conte | Rituals – [Emarcy, 2009]

The follow-up to the classic “Other Directions” takes a more vocal route. Featuring mostly live instruments, Nicola Conte is joined by a multitude of players that include Timo Lassy on sax and flute, Fabrizio Bosso and Till Brönner on trumpets, Pietro Lussu on piano. Vocals are by Alice Ricciardi, José James, Chiara Civello, and Kim Sanders. The whole thing is just so classy.

The style (though not the vocal) resembles Mario Biondi’s wonderful Handful of Soul from a couple years back especially on Ellington’s “Caravan” and the Eastern vibe of “The Nubian Queens“, the latter featuring José James and standout solos by Timo Lassy. Nicola Conte knows “his” jazz and he has written or co-written all the tracks here except two and in an outstanding fashion.