A loving, reverent tribute to one of our greatest living composers, A Love Affair: The Music of Ivan Lins finds a fine, stellar cast interpreting the master’s poetry. Many of the Brazilian’s pieces shown here have never before been recorded in English, or in the case of “Chameleon” (interpreted here by Grover Washington Jr.), have never before been performed as an instrumental. A labor of love for producer Jason Miles, Love Affair offers sparkling new reads from such well-matched performers as Sting (gently crooning “She Walks the Earth”), Chaka Khan (soulfully stretching and jumping off percussions on “So Crazy for This Love”) and Vanessa Williams (melting phrases with instrumental purity on “Love Dance”). Standout tracks include “Answered Prayers,” with the vocal group New York Voices rapturously touting “the miracles that each new day brings,” and Brenda Russell’s awe struck take on “Nocturn,” offering up a wonderful Lins sentiment on the sheer power of fated love: “I know there never was a choice/you heard the music in my voice/endlessly.” Lins participated in the production, playing on several tracks and capping the album with his own tender vocal on “Somos Todos Iquais Neste Noite.” A beautiful, meticulously crafted collection, Love Affair should introduce a whole new generation to Lins’ magical, emotive compositions.
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