... 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
Reviews of Odyssey Mixtape
Paris Move (Thierry De Clemensat)
This Brazilian keyboardist immerses us in pure jazz fusion; a genre that demands caution, given that since the 1970s, we've encountered everything from the sublime to the forgettable. Yet here, we have a truly delightful album, one that revitalizes the style by infusing it with cultural depth. And should you have any doubts, a flute is there to rem ...
Making a Scene (Dee Dee McNeil)
Brazilian pianist, composer and arranger, José Luiz Martins has a way of blending his cultural roots with American fusion jazz, hip hop beats, European classical music and funk. It blossoms into a fresh, beautiful, musical flower. Martins' "Odyssey Mixtape" features a few special guests including guitarist John Lee who solos brilliantly on the op ...
Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
Playing piano, keys and synthesizers, Jose Luiz Martins mixes his own compositions with covers as he creates rich textures with a post-bop team of Alex Hamburger/fl-voc, Romeir Mendez/b, Dana Hawkins/dr and guests John Lee/g, Nakama/voc, Tyrone Allen/eb and Florian Haas/dr. The mix of Martins keys and Hamburger's beefy flute work wonders as on the ...
DownBeat (John Ephland)
Full of spice, bristling with energy, Odyssey Mixtape plays like a party album, engaging anyone inclined who has an urge to move, if not dance. Produced by pianist/keyboard ist/composeer José Luiz Martins and flutist/vocalist Alex Hamburger, the music pops along from track to track. Its Brazilian harmonies and rhythms spread across an eclectic mix ...
