Afro-Cuban/Brazilian Vox
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Lagrimas Negras
Bluebird
Lagrimas Negras (Calle 54/Bluebird), by 80-something Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes and 30-something Roma flamenco vocalist Diego El Cigala, is not strictly jazz or Cuban or flamenco. It is simply a stroke of genius that defies category. The songs are well-known...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Flor de Amor
World Circuit
Omara Portuondo's Flor de Amor (World Circuit/Nonesuch) is just that: a flower of love dedicated to classic old school son and boleros. Had she left Cuba before the revolution perhaps we'd have another First Lady of Cuban song along with Celia Cruz. In her...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Eva! Leyenda Peruana
Times Square
There is a strong tie between African-influenced Peruvian sounds and Afro-Cuban Santeria drum music. The bond is best shown in lando music, the perfect hybrid of Andean melodic tradition and African rhythmic sensibilities, with the percussion played slightly...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Piel de Aceituna
World Village
Chilean vocalist Mariana Montalvo's new CD, Piel de Aceituna (World Village), which means "olive-skinned," is a remarkable mixture of Chilean nueva cancion, French chanson and a splash of world-music sensibilities (reggae and West African). Montalvo delivers...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Last Tango in Rio
Narada Media
The Argentinean bandeon-an accordion-like instrument that fuels the tango-gets an update on vocalist Gabriela Anders' Last Tango in Rio (Narada). She uses the bandeon where the saxophone would normally be in a jazz group, and while it takes some getting...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Nature's Princess
Adventure
Maria Marquez was born in Venezuela, studied music at Berklee in Boston and has been making wonderful music in the Bay Area. Her latest Princesa de Naturaleza (Nature's Princess) is the best showcase of her grasp of pan-Latin traditions and jazz singing...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Maria Rita
Warner Music Latina
Vocalist Maria Rita (WEA International) comes from elite blood: her mother is the late Elis Regina, one of Brazil's greatest vocalists, and her father is pianist and arranger Cesar Camargo Mariano. Rita takes on her legacy head-on with her self-titled debut...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
The Girl From Bossa Nova
Groove Note Records
The Girl From Bossa Nova (Groove Note) is not from bossa nova actually. Or Brazil. In fact, she is not even from anywhere in Latin America. Vocalist Jacintha is from Singapore, but she hopscotches her way through a handful of outstanding Brazilian tunes...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Brazilliance
Blue Toucan
Marco Figueira is a guitarist and vocalist who knows how to keep good company. On his debut CD, Brazilliance (Blue Toucan), Figueira is accompanied by trumpeter Claudio Roditi, pianist Helio Alves, legendary bassist Sergio Brandao and Tom Jobim's longtime...
March 2005 By Felix Contreras
Hollywood Rio
Chesky Records
Ana Caram's Hollywood Rio (Ches-ky) is a concept that actually works: a few well-chosen popular movie themes songs are given the bossa nova treatment. Who knew Burt Bacharach was from Brazil? "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" sounds as if it is supposed...
