Rio Bahia: Encontro

This is the sort of release that one might recommend for stress reduction and relaxation. Vocalist Al Alabado and guitarist Artie Grijalva lead a group that includes pianist Guilherme Vergueiro, bassist Octavio Bailly, drummer Robertinho Silva, percussionist Meia-Noite, and saxophonist/flutist Don Menza through 13 Brazilian jazz numbers. The tunes include Jobim’s “Look to the Sky,” Milton Nascimento’s “Reis e Rinhas do Maracatu,” and the Joao Donato-Caetano Veloso tune, “A Ra.” The opener, “Samba da Gente,” was composed by Alabado, whose singing is augmented by background vocals on this and several other tunes.