Record Reviews

DUO NAZARIO ~ AMÁLGAMA UTOPIA 006 ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is a fantastic album by the Brazilian Duo NazarioFind albums by this artist consisting of brothers: drummer Zé Eduardo NazarioFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Lelo NazarioFind albums by this artist. Nazario Brothers are great pioneers on Brazilian Jazz-World Fusion, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Progressive Rock and in the past they were instrumental in creating modern Brazilian music as founders of the legendary Grupo UmFind albums by this artist, members of the group Pau BrasilFind albums by this artist and members of the groups led by the legendary Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist, and more recently founders and co-leaders of the group PercussônicaFind albums by this artist. This album presents some re-workings of older material and newly composed pieces, all performed by the duo. All of the music is original and of the eleven compositions nine are by Lelo Nazario, one is by Zé Eduardo Nazario and one is co-composed by them both. The music, as duly named in the album´s title, is an amalgam of many influences, combined with Brazilian melodic themes and Afro-Brazilian rhythmic patterns, which has been the modus operandi of the Nazario Brothers since many years. Lelo Nazario is a brilliant keyboardist and he creates multi-layered melodic themes, which always have that specific Brazilian tinge. Zé Eduardo Nazario adds his polyrhythmic percussion, which drives the music formidably and displays the rhythmic affluence of Brazilian music. Together they sound like a full ensemble, in spite of the fact that there are just two musicians behind all this kaleidoscope of sounds. This album, like all the albums created by the Nazario Brothers, is a formidable example of multiculti music at its best. It respects the melodic and harmonic tradition of European music as much as the Brazilian rhythmic tradition and manages to combine the two in the most effective way. It is worth of being studied as a classic example of what Jazz-World Fusion is all about. I have been following the work of the Nazario Brothers for decades and always found it to be exemplary. It is a pity they are little known outside their country, as they deserve truly a much wider recognition. For followers of Jazz-World and Jazz-Rock Fusion this album and anything else of their work one can find is absolutely worth getting. So make an effort and grab it. Thanks Zé Eduardo and Lelo for being out there!

Updated: 16/07/2016Posted: 16/07/2016

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ZÉ EDUARDO NAZARIO ~ POEMA DA GOTA SERENA E OUTROS POEMAS EDITIO PRINCEPS 22 (Barcode: 7898901556220) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1977 - 2004 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of the debut solo album by Brazilian drummer / composer Zé Eduardo NazarioFind albums by this artist entitled "Poema Da Gota SerenaFind albums with this title", remastered and expanded by a plethora of bonus material and as a result presenting a fifty years career spanning retrospective release. Most of the music on this album was composed by Zé Eduardo Nazario, except for one piece composed by his brother / keyboardist Lelo NazarioFind albums by this artist and three others that are improvised pieces. The debut solo album was recorded simultaneously with the recording of the third album by Grupo UmFind albums by this artist ("A Flor De Plastico IncineradaFind albums with this title"), of which he and his brother were members at the time. It consists of just two expanded pieces, each occupying one side of the original LP. Both are duets, first with saxophonist / flautist CacauFind albums by this artist and the second with Lelo Nazario on keyboards. The bonus material includes unreleased recordings by Grupo Um, the duet with his brother called Duo NazarioFind albums by this artist and the group Quinteto ZenFind albums by this artist, spanning the years 1977 to 2004. The overall level of the music is of course outstanding, as expected. The debut album is of course the most interesting material on this album both for historical / discographical reasons and the fact that it presents extremely bold ventures into Free Jazz and Improvised Music, which were completely pioneering at the time on the Brazilian scene. The Grupo Um material originates from a soundtrack the group was commissioned to create before they recorded their debut album. The Quinteto Zen material returns to the Jazz-World Fusion concept of interpretation of Brazilian music elements combined with Jazzy improvisations. The album´s liner notes list a few dozen albums which feature Zé Eduardo Nazario contributions, including those by Brazilian legends like Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist, Egberto GismontiFind albums by this artist, Milton NascimentoFind albums by this artist and many others, which obviously are evidence of his many talents. This album is therefore a much deserved tribute to his life´s achievements. People interested in Brazilian music in general and Brazilian Jazz-Rock-World Fusion in particular should find this album indispensible.

Updated: 12/08/2016Posted: 11/08/2016

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend