Record Reviews

GRUPO UM ~ A FLOR DE PLASTICO INCINERADA EDITIO PRINCEPS 18 (Barcode: 7898901556183) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1982 Released: 2010 This is the reissue of the third and final album by the legendary Brazilian ensemble Grupo UmFind albums by this artist, led by brothers Lelo NazarioFind albums by this artist (keyboards) and Zé Eduardo NazarioFind albums by this artist (drums). On this album the lineup also included saxophonist / flautist Teco CardosoFind albums by this artist, bassist Rodolfo StroeterFind albums by this artist and guests: clarinetist Felix WagnerFind albums by this artist and narrator Regina PortoFind albums by this artist. This remastered edition presents the original album and three bonus tracks: an excerpt, an alternate version and one previously unreleased track from the original recording session. The music is all original and was composed mostly by Lelo Nazario. In the three years that separated the recording of this album and their groundbreaking debut "Marcha Sobre A CidadeFind albums with this title", Grupo Um progressed dramatically towards new forms of expression and much more complex melodic / harmonic structures, embracing Free Form improvisation and electronics. As a result this album is less accessible to the average Jazz listener and much more suitable for lovers of Avant-Garde and contemporary music. The transformation is truly remarkable and the new music emphasizes the desire to experiment and move beyond conventions. A conceptual change is expressed also by the fact that one of the tracks is a solo performance on a plethora of percussive instruments, beautifully executed by Zé Eduardo Nazario and another one is a fascinating duo by Stroeter and Cardoso. The folkloristic Brazilian elements are much more subtle and mostly subdued and the music becomes much more universal and unconstrained geographically. Only by the fourth track on the album the core quartet returns to the Jazz-Rock-World Fusion idiom, familiar from the earlier albums, but the music is much more spacey and full of irregularities and wonderful twists and turns, both melodically and rhythmically. In contrast to the age of the musicians involved, this music is deeply mature and encompasses an entire musical universe. The fact that Grupo Um did not continue to record more albums is a great pity, but at least it contributed a trilogy of instrumental music, that changed the face of Brazilian and South American music forever, even if this remains mostly a deep secret to most music listeners in their own country and the world over. I can only recommend to the listeners to follow later recordings by the Nazario Brothers and other musicians who were involved in the Grupo Um saga, as they are all fascinating. Of course the album remains completely untouched by time and sounds as good today as it did at the time of its recording. Essential stuff!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 10/08/2016

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

MARTA KARASSAWA ~ TEMPO BOM NOT ON LABEL ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is an album by Brazilian pianist Marta KarassawaFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with excellent local musicians: trumpeter Sidmar VieiraFind albums by this artist, flautist / saxophonist Teco CardosoFind albums by this artist, German (resident in Brazil) bassist Frank HerzbergFind albums by this artist (who also produced the album) and drummer Zé Eduardo NazarioFind albums by this artist, my old Friend. Three guest musician appear on selected tracks. The album presents twelve tracks, all of which are original composition by Karassawa. The music is, as expected, a mixture of Jazz and Brazilian influences, which is one of my favorite musical idioms. The compositions are solid and offer a splendid vehicle for the quintet and guests to show their chops. The music floats seamlessly and offers a relaxed atmosphere, but without any compromises as to the quality, which results in a truly enjoyable listening experience. Karassawa plays delicately and solos rather sparingly, leaving most of the instrumental focus to the experienced veterans accompanying her, but she provides the perfect background to her beautiful compositions and interesting arrangements. When she does play solo, she shows obvious talent. Overall, this is a mainstream Brazilian Jazz effort, with excellent original music, splendidly performed by highly experienced legendary musicians, which is a most pleasant and entertaining display of the genre’s principles. I am looking forward to hear more from the Lady!

Updated: 10/05/2024Posted: 10/05/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

LELO NAZARIO ~ AFRICASIAMERICA EDITIO PRINCEPS 10 (Barcode: 7898901556107) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 5th album by Brazilian keyboards player Lelo NazarioFind albums by this artist, one of the pioneers of Brazilian jazz and fusion. As the album’s title suggests, Nazario combines rhythmic influences from a variety of ethnic sources into his jazz / fusion compositions, often creating polyrhythmic backgrounds for his beautiful compositions. The album follows the path set by Nazario’s previous album and although recorded eight years later, it is a natural follow up to the approach developed earlier. He is a superb instrumentalist and even more importantly an amazing composer, always full of surprises and able to create a wide range of emotions in his music. Surrounded and supported by the most talented players on the contemporary Brazilian jazz / fusion scene (Teco CardosoFind albums by this artist – flute and saxes, Felipe AvilaFind albums by this artist – guitar and others) Nazario manages to reach the highest levels of expression for his music. I particularly enjoyed his performances on the electric piano, which remind me fondly of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist’s glory days with Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist. This is a great example of how great jazz / fusion music is created outside of the commonly accepted path set mostly by US players. Most warmly recommended and an assured eye (ear) opener!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

LELO NAZARIO ~ SIMPLES UTOPIA 17534 ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 - 1998 4th album by the outstanding Brazilian keyboards player / composer Lelo NazarioFind albums by this artist. As usual, Nazario uses some of the best Brazilian musicians to help him out, including saxophonist Teco CardosoFind albums by this artist, legendary singer Marlui MirandaFind albums by this artist and American Master drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist as a guest. He composed all the music, which is excellent all the way and includes a mixture of jazz, Brazilian motifs and contemporary classical influences. This album is Nazario’s homage to many fellow musicians from Brazil and the US he admires. The atmosphere is much more relaxed and serene than what he plays on the more Jazz-Rock oriented recordings and there is much more space for his own exquisite playing to be showcased. A most enjoyable musical experience.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PÉ ANTE PÉ ~ IMAGENS DO INCONSCIENTE / PÉ ANTE PÉ EDITIO PRINCEPS 07 (Barcode: 7898901556077) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1980 - 1982 Released: 2005 This is a reissue of the only two albums recorded by the legendary Brazilian Jazz / Fusion group Pé Ante PéFind albums by this artist, originating from Sao Paulo. The eponymous debut album was recorded in an octet setting in 1980 and the sophomore release was recorded a couple of years later in a quintet setting. Together with bands like Divina IncrencaFind albums by this artist, Grupo UmFind albums by this artist, Pau BrasilFind albums by this artist and a few others they were the pioneers of the new instrumental music in their country. The core of the group consisted of pianist Homero LotitoFind albums by this artist, drummer Caito MarcondesFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Teco CardosoFind albums by this artist and guitarist Jarbas BarbosaFind albums by this artist, who play on both albums. All the music was original, composed by the members of the group, with Lotito contributing the majority of the compositions. The music, as expected, offers a wonderful amalgam of beautiful melodies and typical Brazilian rhythmic patterns, which although well advanced and complex, sounds perfectly enjoyable throughout. All the musicians involved offer high proficiency and palpable dedication, often willing to explore less obvious territory. Although Brazil was always a highly musical country, such advanced and unusual music was entirely novel and pioneering at the time, offering a glimpse of Jazz avant garde approach, which arrived in Brazil a couple of decades after it was explored in US and in Europe, quite similar to Progressive Rock, which also blossomed in South America about two decades after its hay days in Europe. This music sound remarkably fresh and astute today, almost four decades after it was recorded, which of course means that it lost nothing of its original ingenuity and aesthetic values. Obviously it is a remarkable piece of Brazilian music history, but this reissue is also in extremely high demand by record collectors worldwide (not to mention the original LPs, which reach astronomical sums in the collectors´ circles). Overall this is a true gem of Brazilian / South American Jazz / Fusion, which deserves an honorable place in any serious record collection. Highly recommended!

Updated: 16/02/2019Posted: 16/02/2019

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend