Record Reviews
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  | MARIA JOAO ~ CONVERSA
NABEL 8628 ~ PORTUGAL ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1986 Released: 1986
This is the third album by Portuguese Jazz vocalist Maria JoaoFind albums by this artist, recorded with her quintet, which also includes German saxophonist / flautist Martin FredebeulFind albums by this artist, pianist Peter WalterFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter GroningFind albums by this artist and Portuguese bassist Carlos BicaFind albums by this artist. German percussionist Michael KuttnerFind albums by this artist appears as a guest. The album presents six tracks (one a medley of two songs), all except one composition by Walter originate from various sources.
Joao arrived on the European Jazz scene in early 1980s via Germany, with her second and third albums released by Nabel Records and three further albums by Enja Records, which firmly established her career. From the moment I heard her at that time, she immediately became one of my favorite modern Jazz singers, and she never disappointed since, releasing many fabulous albums since.
Joao incorporates many World Music elements in her music, including shades of Portuguese Fado naturally, but also South American influences, Avant-Garde and electronics. Her improvisations are simply otherwordly and absolutely amazing and her musicality and aesthetics are extraordinary by any measure.
This early album already shows her immense talent and originality, and although she sings lyrics here in addition to vocalese, which is her real strength, the album still sounds brilliant, and despite the fact that it was recorded thirty-six years ago, it can still be considered groundbreaking.
Overall, this is an absolutely classic modern vocal Jazz album, which is a must in any serious vocal Jazz collection. The fact that it is still available is a miracle and if anybody is interested (and everybody should be), it can be bought from the label. Don’t even hesitate for a moment!
| | Updated: 18/03/2022Posted: 18/03/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAXOFOUR & MARIA JOAO ~ CINCO
ATS 0744 (Barcode: 9005216007448) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2004 Released: 2011
This is a stunning album by the Austrian saxophone quartet SaxofourFind albums by this artist, which consists of Florian BrambockFind albums by this artist, Klaus DickbauerFind albums by this artist, Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist and Wolfgang PuschingFind albums by this artist, who between them play soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, clarinet, bass clarinet and flute. On this album they combine forces with the wonderful Portuguese vocalist Maria JoaoFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve compositions, seven of which are by the great Portuguese pianist / composer Mario LaginhaFind albums by this artist, five are by the quartet members and one is a standard. Joao wrote the lyrics to three of the compositions. All the music was arranged by the quartet members.
The music is an orgy of creativity and spontaneity, combining the exquisite sound created by the saxophone quartet with the extraordinary vocal pyrotechnics of Joao. Although seemingly lacking any rhythmic support, this music is full of polyrhythmic complexity, combining the familiar Jazz setting with the exotic South European vivacity.
The saxophone quartet is capable of producing a rich and complex soundscape, combining the four individual instruments into an almost symphonic sound environment. The articulation and sophistication of these four superb musicians seems to have absolutely no limits.
Joao is of course a living legend, one of the most original and forward thinking European Jazz personas, and most significantly one of the sublime vocal Jazz pioneers, who defined the contemporary role of human voice in Jazz, together with a small and exclusive group of other European female vocalists like Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist, Lauren NewtonFind albums by this artist, Jeanne LeeFind albums by this artist and a few others.
The twelve pieces on this album are all absolute gems with no weak moments whatsoever. The quartet weaves layers of melodic background, spiced with exciting improvisations, and Joao tops the bill with her idiosyncratic vocalese, which is so inventive and refined that it sends waves of pleasure shock down the listener´s spine. The symbiosis between the quartet and Joao is so organic and complete, that it is hard to believe this album was just a one-time cooperation.
Overall the album is an exquisite example of European Jazz at its best, full of wonderful music and sublime performances, which should make even the most demanding Jazz connoisseurs completely happy. For vocal Jazz fans this is an absolute must of course, being one of the finest and most tasteful examples of musical ingenuity. Beyond essential!
| | Updated: 03/08/2019Posted: 03/08/2019 | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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