01/11/12

Paul Lieberman
Ibeji
Paullieberman.com

By Bill Milkowski

In keeping with the title (which means “twins” in Yoruban), saxophonist-flutist Paul Lieberman looks at Brazilian music and American jazz as twin children of Mother Africa. Consequently, he alternates rhythm tandems, using bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Tim Horner for straight-up jazz tunes like “I’ll Remember April” and a swinging rendition of Jobim’s “Inutil Paisagem” while relying on drummer Duduka Da Fonseca and bassist Nilson Matta (longtime partners in Trio Da Paz) for the authentic Brazilian groove on undulating numbers like Lieberman’s “Azul No Verde E Amarelo,” a choro rendition of “Lulu’s Back in Town” and a baião take on the Beatles’ “In My Life.” Lieberman also offers a brief, beautiful rendition of Bill Evans’ “My Bells,” rendered as an overdubbed flute choir.