Anna Estrada – Obsesión (Feral Flight Productions 2009)

When Elis Regina died, most Brasilians thought that the vacuum created by her loss could not be filled. Then along came Rosa Passos… and Anna Estrada. The two vocalists do not jostle for position in the vacant slot that Regina left behind. However, both fill it individually with the extraordinary breath and scope of their talent. Passos stays within the Brasilian ethos more often than not [...]

Kristina – Offshore Echoes (Patois Records 2009)

A female vocalist with a low vocal spectrum is not supposed to sound as joyful as Kristina does on Offshore Echoes. And she sounds joyful no matter what she sings. Many singers would sound solemn. However, Kristina, being the wonderful practitioner of the vocal arts that she is gives a fine account of herself. Not only is she a versatile vocalist [...]

Ithamara Koorax & Juarez Moreira – Bim Bom (Motema Music 2009)

João Gilberto did not just epitomize bossa nova, “The New Thing” that he virtually invented, but he also brought his new laconic vocalastic style to Brasilian music. So deeply passionate and idiosyncratic was his annunciation and intonation that he could wail and groan with equal lyricism. Pitch did not seem to matter as the mood and passion of the emotion often took [...]

Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge – Off & On: The Music of Moacir Santos

If ever that a record could be likened to a comet streaking across the musical stratosphere and a long time coming at that, this one by Mark Levine, Off & On: The music of Moacir Santos would be just that. Moreover, in personifying this album, as are comets that streak past, this one would be Kohutek because it is a rare gem of a record. There are several reasons for this. [...]

Sofia Tosello – Alma y Luna (Sunnyside Records 2009)

There is a story that bears telling about Brasilian musician and multi-instrumentalist, Egberto Gismonti and his legendary teacher, Nadia Boulanger. Upon hearing him and evaluating his technique and his knowledge of harmonic devices, the story goes that Madame Boulanger said to Gismonti, “Go back and master the music of your country. This will unlock your voice and the world [...]

Latin Jazz Network Radio – Jukebox – November 2009 Playlist

Jukebox – November 2009 Playlist: 3 Cohens, Mario Adnet & Philippe Baden Powell, Arturo Stable, Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Coto Pincheira, Curtis Brothers Quartet, Kalil Wilson, Giovanni Hidalgo, Henry Brun & The Latin Playerz, Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge, Miguel Zenón, Sofia Tosello, Buika, Chucho Valdes, Edmar Castañeda, Pilar de la Hoz, Truko & Zaperoko, Benjamin Taubkin, Sophie Milman, Roberto Fonseca, Mario Ortiz All Stars Band.