The second album from these Brazilian veterans finds them using the piano/bass/drums format to great effect, with a light touch throughout (even the drum solo on "LVM/Direto Ao Assunto" is subtle). Pianist
Helio Alves brings melody as assurance to a range of material, although
Jobim accounts for three of the ten tracks here, letting everything glide with the smoothness of a Copacabana wave, while the others push and prod just enough to add meat underneath. "Luiza" is a standout, limpid and beautiful, the emotion coming through in every note. But this is an album that covers the spectrum of moods, from sadness to sparkling sunlight, as with the title cut, and the compositions from bandmembers stand tall next to those from more established figures. It's a highlight of Brazilian jazz. ~ Chris Nickson