The fusion group Bacan hails from Amsterdam and includes an Argentinian keyboardist, Juan Pablo Dobal, an Uruguayan guitarist, Leonardo Amuedo, a beguiling Brazilian vocalist, Lilian Vieira, and a corp of musicians from the Netherlands, America, and Brazil. The 12 cuts, composed mainly by bassist and keyboardist Jose Luis Lopretti, with lyrics by Vieira, are constructed in a relaxed, open samba style with understated horn arrangements and surging syncopation when called for. “Upa” and the closer, “Tic-Tac,” deliver strong percussion. “El Mar” has Ed Verhoeff on guitar, Praful and Peter Broekhuizen, saxes, and David Rockefeller, trumpet. Everyone plays ably; pianist Lopretti on “La Nina” is one instance, and guitarist Amuedo and pianist Dobal on “Cascade,” another, yet “Cara” is too often simply pretty when one might wish for a more arresting sound. Still, this release will have strong appeal, and only the cut “This Morning” jars by a too obvious commercial bid.
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