With
Naif, Berlin-based Italian
Sonia Brex has made a very playful disc whose mood is more suited to summer than any other season. There's plenty of Brazilian seasoning in the mix, especially on "Frühling in Berlin" and "Lampada," not to mention "Brex in Bossa," whose title is a bit of a giveaway, although it develops in intensity. At its heart there is a welcome simplicity to this that actually shows deep intelligence, whether on "A Mors Taranta," which uses a small fragment to create a tarantella, or the post-jazz "Smoky Town." She's an appealing singer in a very breathy way -- think
Astrud Gilberto -- which works surprisingly well on a charming version of
Chic's "Good Times" and takes louder flight on the vintage "A Little Bird." It's not a disc that's going to make her a major star, but she does have her own niche and style, and she's exploring it beautifully. ~ Chris Nickson