A Kiss for Brazil

Karrin Allyson, who has been recording rewarding albums since 1992, is still in prime form these days. On A Kiss For Brazil which is at least her 17th album, she displays her long-time love for Brazilian music. In 2008 Allyson had recorded an album titled Imagina: Songs Of Brasil and her rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "O Pato" (complete with her charming quacking) is one of several Brazilian songs that have long been in her repertoire.

A Kiss For Brazil came about when Karrin Allyson wanted to achieve her longtime goal of recording with veteran singer Rosa Passos. After cutting "Month Of March In Salvador" and "O Grande Amor," she decided to record a full Brazilian album, one that would feature her singing songs that she had never recorded before.

With Vitor Goncalves on piano, accordion and Fender Rhodes, guitarist Yotam Silberstein, bassist Harvie S, and drummer Rafael Barata, Karin Allyson uplifts such numbers as "Recardo Bossa Nova," Ivan Lins' "The Island," "Manha de Carnaval, "So Many Stars" (during which she plays piano) and "Wave." She also accompanies herself on piano (with bassist Harvie S) on "Only Trust Your Heart."

The music is performed in English and Portuguese (Allyson can sing fluently in several languages) with taste and the infectious bossa nova rhythms, mostly taken at an unhurried pace. Karrin Allyson is particularly adept at contrasting the joyful melodies with its often-melancholy lyrics. She has always had a real feeling for Brazilian music, making A Kiss For Brazil easily recommended for fans of that idiom.