Danish pianist
Thomas Clausen has long been a lover of various forms of Brazilian music and a talented composer in many of them. After meeting guitarist/vocalist Celia Malheiros while she toured Europe in 2006, he set his sights on recording with her, finally choosing soprano saxophonist and flautist
Carlos Malta for their trio date in Rio de Janiero in early 2008.
Clausen's "Nostalgia" is a lyrical masterpiece with shades of classical music in a delicious setting for piano, guitar, and soprano, while his engaging "Samba Train" is a relaxing affair. Malheiros contributed the vocal tribute "Ao Mestre Cartola" to salute the samba master, while her insistent "Yemanja" is relentless, accented by
Malta's haunting bass flute.
Malta also proves himself as a talented composer with his infectious chant-like "Tupizinho" (in which he plays wood flute and the leader switches to Fender Rhodes). Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden