The Brazilian Project

5-STARS As many Norteamericanos, Gabriel Espinosa was attracted to music from Brazil since the 1960s. He is Mexican, from the Yucatan, but has recorded a number of albums influenced by Brazil. This latest is focused on Brazil, recorded in Rio de Janeiro, arranged by Rafael Rocha, trombone, and Bruno Santos, fugelhorn. Espinosa composed all the works, and they are scored as baiao, bolero, bossa nova with a representative of Yucatan's jarana dance. The large Brazilian studio jazz band consists of horns, saxophones, flute, piano, guitar, electric bass, drums and percussion, with strings on one track, Paz, delivered electronically from Tallinn, Estonia. The album was engineered in New York, and the label and design is from Seattle's Origin Records. [Music-without-borders!] As for the music itself, the 10 pieces are mellow, comfortable, rich in feeling and texture. The track Klavier Latino offers extensive solos. Similar in large ensemble style to the numerous albums by Brazilian pianist and band leader Antonio Adolfo (who shares drummer Rafael Barata and trombonist Rocha), the pleasant romantic lyricism and sophistication make this a happy addition to the Brazilian jazz collection.