... Martins plays with a kind of joyous deliberation that has almost been forgotten to our uber-rational culture...this album is a crowning achievement.
From São Paulo, with stops along the way in Basel, Switzerland, New York, and now Washington, DC, pianist and composer José Luiz Martins seamlessly blends intriguing Brazilian harmonies and rhythms with his inspired takes on jazz, classical, and popular music, creating innovative and often soaring cinematic aural landscapes. His quartet, augmented by vocals, a judicious use of keyboards, and guitarist John Lee as a guest, explores pieces that were conceived during a period of great turmoil as he found ways to understand and overcome his debilitating neurological condition, Focal Dystonia. Odyssey Mixtape chronicles the interplay between depression and hope, as his ability to play was put on hold for an extended period, leaving his musical mind free to wander. The memories of his youthful interests in São Paulo co-mingle with his adult musical sensibilities, creating the core of the themes weaving throughout the album.
Track Listing:
1 Incerteza 8:04
2 Don't Act Like 2:37
3 Cravo e Canela 7:15
4 Bloom 5:58
5 Yatra-Tá 6:39
6 Metamorphosis 6:48
7 Tierra Extraña 5:29
Music by José Luiz Martins (BMI), except:
(2) music by J.L. Martins, lyrics by Nakama
(3) Milton Nascimento & Ronaldo Ribeiro
(5) Tania Maria
(4,6) lyrics by J.L. Martins & Alex Hamburger
(7) lyrics by A. Hamburger, poem by Ana Maria R. Codas
Performers:
José Luiz Martins - piano, keys, synths
Alex Hamburger - flute, voice (4,6,7)
Romeir Mendez - bass
Dana Hawkins - drums
John Lee - guitar (1,4,5)
Nakama - voice (2)
Tyrone Allen II - electric bass (2)
Florian Haas - drums (2)
Production Info:
Produced by José Luiz Martins & Alex Hamburger
Recorded May 22-23, 2024 by Dani Cortaza
at Intune Studio, Adelphi, MD
Mixed & mastered by Thiago Monteiro
in São Paulo, Brazil
Photos by Jamie Sandel - All Power Media
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
