A truly international effort, this is a Japanese release of an Italian trio doing Brazilian music: 11 songs of
Antonio Carlos Jobim, nicely mixed between the familiar and less-so.
Falando de Amor is also a delightful surprise, giving a fresh coat to music that's been widely covered for the past four decades. While the fine pianist
Stefano Bollani has obvious respect for
Jobim's luscious melodies, he and his gifted bandmates -- bassist
Ares Tavolazzi and drummer Walter Paoli -- make them sound newly composed. For example, the beautiful "Luiza," usually done as a slow ballad, becomes a fast-flowing waltz that brings out the twirling nature of the melody. The classic "Agua de Beber" is transformed by putting the bass and drums forward, while an innovative take on "Aguas de Março" ("Waters of March") replaces its usual repetition with intrigue. In these capable hands, "Samba de Uma Nota So" ("One Note Samba") vaults out of cliché into a full-out bop burner, ending with a sly reference to the original.
Bollani, who has played with
Lee Konitz and
Phil Woods, is a master of clean, elegant phrasing. His solo turn on "Retrato em Branco e Preto" is one of the most beautiful versions you will ever hear; he takes another on "Pois E," this time strong and swinging. Meanwhile,
Tavolazzi is blessedly on-pitch and unusually melodic, and Paoli is both supportive and imaginative. Each track is a perfect little set piece with no padding or fluff. Warmly recorded, this CD is a must-have for the
Jobim collector, and will also satisfy fans of lively, lyrical trio playing. Highly recommended. ~ Judith Schlesinger