1. Dear Dee Vee - Tania Maria
2. Nao Esta Colando ( I'm Not Buying It ) - Ali Ryerson featuring
Weber Drummond, Helcio Milito, Romero Lubambo, Sergio
Brandao
3. Samba For Claudio - Hendrik Muerkens with special guest Claudio
Roditi
4. Samba D'Orpheo - Charlie Byrd with special guest Ken Peplowski
5. Samba All Day Long - Jorge Dalto & The Interamerican Band
6. Pedra Bonita - Trio Da Paz featuring Romero Lubambo, Daduka Fonseca,
Nilson Matta with Claudio Roditi
7. Recado Bossa Nova - Joanne Brackeen
8. Samba Cruz - Jeff Linsky featuring Claudia Villela
9. Frajola - Manredo Fest
10. Samba Do Cantor - Flora Purim & Airto
11. Street Samba - Marcos Silva and Intersection
This is a fascinating compilation of contemporary
Latin music dating from 1985- 1997. There is an abundance of different
styles and approaches, but the overall effect is one of great swing
and joie de vivre. It is a pity that Concord did not deem it necessary
to print more comprehensive details regarding the personnel on these
recordings. Whilst the main proponents are named it seems to be assumed
that we all know who plays what! I would think that the listener would
be more inclined to look for further examples of the works of some
of the artists featured here if a little mare detail and background
were given . The original albums are cited but it would be helpful
to know more about the musicians, both in terms of instrumentation
and biography.
"Dear Dee Vee" features the vocalisations of Tania
Maria who has, to my ears, more than a hint of Flora Purim in her
delivery - the first part of this track seems to consist of her making
comments either of instruction or exhortation, my Spanish is not adequate
enough to decipher this, and then matters fall into a more straightforward
format.
" Samba For Claudio", apart from including Claudio
Roditi ( of Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra fame ) has
some highly effective harmonica playing -I assume by Hendrik Meurkens
. " Samba D'Orpheo " is sometimes known as " Black Orpheus " and is
interesting in its authenticity in that it is performed by one of
the original proponents of the Bossa Nova - Charlie Byrd. Also on
this track we are regaled by the lyrical and inventive tenor saxophone
of Ken Peplowski. Personally I prefer his excursions on the clarinet,
but there is no doubting his prowess on the larger horn.
With " Samba All Day Long " we are back to the problem
of who does what ? This is a shame on this selection in particular
as there is some great flute playing throughout. Other highspots for
me are the JoAnne Brackeen number ( " Recado Bossa Nova") and Airto
and Flora Purim on " Samba Do Cantor" - I think Purim's delivery of
this type of tune is second to none.
Overall this is a highly enjoyable disc my only reservations
being as previously stated. However it is more than worth the purchase
price.
Dick Stafford
CD Reviews
CONCORD SPECIAL
PRODUCTS CCD-5308-2 
