Search - Victor Assis Brasil :: Jobim

Okay! So I am nuts....

greg taylor | Portland, Oregon United States | 02/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...because the first couple times I listened to this CD I didn't really get it. But now I am beginning to understand and to hear.

This session is from August, 1970 and features Victor Assis Brasil on alto and soprano sax, Don Salvador on the keyboards, Helio Delmiro on guitar (he also whistles on "Bonita"), Edison Lobo on the bass and Edison Machado on the drums.

I have heard people state that Brasil is a Coltrane type player. Not on this CD. On this CD he is more of the Stanley Turrentine or David Newman school by which I mean extremely skilled soul jazz. Obviously this CD is a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim and consists of five of his pieces. It is relatively short and one wonders if there was any unreleased material that could have been added to the CD.

But ultimately, who cares? For what we have is beauty enough. It is hard to describe music like this. Brasil and Delmiro shine in every possible way. They play with beautiful tone, economy and sophistication. I swear to you on "Quartiniana" their notes drip beauty. Every note seems necessary and part of the overall structure of the piece. Salvador, Lobo and Machado provide an effective and emotional background for the work of the leads.

Like I said, Brasil is usually bookmarked as the Coltrane of Brazil so maybe this CD is not typical. I have a copy of Pedrinho on the way so I will let you know. What I do know, based on the evidence of this CD, is that Victor Assis Brasil passed away far too young for his talent. My thanks to Peppinieddu for pointing Brasil out to me. Obrigado, irmao!

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