Singer, songwriter, and guitarist
Jesse Harris opted for a change of scenery while recording his 11th album,
Sub Rosa; the New York native headed down to Brazil to work with a handful of talented local musicians in Rio de Janeiro, including guitarist
Guilherme Monteiro, Maycon Ananias on keyboards, and bassist Dadi, with
Harris' longtime drummer
Bill Dobrow joining in. The results don't represent a radical break from
Harris' past, but tunes such as "All Your Days," "Rocking Chairs," "Patchouli," and "Let It All Come Down" boast a subtle tropical feel, resembling a slightly gangly 21st century variation on
Stan Getz's work with
Astrud Gilberto, and the presence of several of
Jesse's frequent collaborators (including
Norah Jones,
Conor Oberst, and
Bill Frisell) allows this material to reach comfortably between the sensuous Latin subtext and the easygoing folk-infused pop-jazz that's been
Harris' calling card since his days with
the Ferdinandos. As usual,
Harris' vocals are breathy and understated enough to make
James Taylor sound like
Ice Cube, but he manages to generate just a little extra swagger in these performances, giving the music a welcome sway that enlivens the melodies, and the interplay between the musicians is excellent, precise yet with a comfortable, casual spirit. And as a songwriter,
Harris doesn't reveal any new tricks on
Sub Rosa, but he spins these tales of relationships both happy and sad with superb craft and a winning, easygoing confidence that's the mark of a gifted pro.
Sub Rosa's tropical undercurrents aren't likely to change anyone's opinion of
Jesse Harris, but the small changes do make a difference, and fans should find this a rewarding listen, while folks unfamiliar with his work would do well to start here as they investigate his catalog. ~ Mark Deming