Drummer
Adriano Santos has chosen a very tight and compelling band of jazz performers to play hot Brazilian music stretched out with solos and developed melody lines. Saxophonist
David Binney -- who co-produced the date with
Santos -- is ever present in tandem with the wondrous pianist
Helio Alves. They are the stars that make things happen on this collection of famous tunes penned by
Milton Nascimento,
Moacir Santos,
Airto Moreira, and others. Among the extended tracks is a long version of
Airto's famous jam "Xibaba" loaded with bright colors in a 6/8 beat, and the bouncy composition of
Victor Assis Brasil's "Pro Zeca," a perfect feature for
Binney's alto. The band revisits
Nascimento's "From the Lonely Afternoons," introduced to American audiences on
Wayne Shorter's pivotal album
Native Dancer, here with
Binney's soprano in free, breezy, lush samba tones. Steamy and steady beats by the drummer identify many of these pieces, especially the
Moacir Santos classic "Amphibious" and "Contemplacao," but the concluding track, "Ninho da Vespa" by
Caymmi, ends the date on a punchy note, with a boom box rhythm not heard on the rest of the date. Bassist David Ambrosio expertly keeps the rhythm train rolling along with
Adriano Santos, a competent but not spectacular time keeper.
In Session suggests this group is more exciting live in concert, but also gives the listener a keen idea where they're coming from, and it's all good. ~ Michael G. Nastos