Guinga
Cine Baronesa
Velas Records
VLS1010
Since
the tender age of 13, Guinga felt that his destiny lay in making
music so he took it upon himself to learn how to play guitar.
His talent quickly took roots as his compositions qualified for
Brazil's International Song Festival. By the time he reached
his twenties, Guinga had gained great recognition as a virtuoso
guitarist and composer, as well as recording and performing with
virtually all the important musicians of the times--including:
João Nogueira, Beth Carvalho, Clara Nunes, Alaíde
Costa, Elis Regina, Essa Mulher, Cartola and many more. He even
recorded on Sergio Mendes's Grammy winning CD "Brasileiro."
Inspired by his personal memories of Rio De Janeiro's suburbs,
Guinga brings his musical talents to bare on this, his 5th CD
release titled "Cine Baronesa." One of the more interesting
things about Guinga is that his music cannot simply be categorized.
His music touches both the vast tradition and the contemporary
musical idioms that identify with Brazilian music, working with
familiar rhythms such as samba, baião, frevo, toada, waltz,
choro as well as blues influence.
A Guinga composition, the opening track "Melodia Branca"
(White Melody) is a feast for the senses featuring solo piano
accompanied by acoustic guitar and string section. The musical
passages are rich and enchanting full of nuances. Next, the title
track "Cine Baronesa (Baronesa Theater) explore the aural
timber of Fatima Guedes on vocals with Quarteto Maogani providing
a gentle guitar accompaniment. Deep and profound harmonies continue
to embrace the music. Next, saxophonist Nailor "Proveta"
Azevedo writes a delightful upbeat arrangement of Guinga's composition
Võ Alfredo." A plefora of harmonies are interpreted
by a zesty horn section featuring some fabulous interplay between
Andrea Ernest Dias on piccolo and Eliezer Rodrigues on tuba.
Marcelo Suzano provides a solid beat on percussion.
Guinga's earthy voice and guitar project an entrancing vibration
on "Nem Mais Un Pio" (Not Anymore Sound). With special
guests Ricardo Silveria on guitar and Chico Buarque on vocals,
the mood is transformed to blues on "Yes, Zè Manès
(Yeah, You Jerks)--a tribute to legendary Jazz master musician
Miles Davis--with João Cortez on brushed, and Marcelo
Martins' saxophone performing smoothly behind the lyrics which
mention "Miles na Baixada", "Georgia on my mind"
and "Porgy and Bess."
Lush clusters of harmonies continue to dominate on track 6
"Caiu Do Cèu" (She Fell From the Sky) as the
cellos are heard dancing with string section and guitar--exquisite
arrangement by Gilson Peranzzetta. Track 7 highlights the joyful
samba rhythm on "No Fundo Do Rio" (In The Subrubs Of
Rio). "Entonteante" captures the simplicity of Guinga's
music featuring Ricardo Pontes on flute with percussionists Armando
Marcal and Marcelinho Moreira.
"Geraldo No Leme" moves fast driven by Guinga's
rapid rhythm on guitar featuring a horn section interchanging
melodies. Track 10 "Fox E Trote" (Fox and Trot) is
a blues featuring a jazzy solo by Paulo Sergio Santos on clarinet
with more of Quarteto Maogani. Jaques Morelembaum and Alceu Reis
reign supreme on cello with their powerful sound adding to the
excellent orchestral string section throughout, especially on
track 11 "Como Eu Imaginara." Another samba, Guinga
adds his gentle vocals and guitar interpreting "Orassamba"
with some good work by Nilton Rodrigues on trumpet and flugelhorn.
The ending, Guinga brings back "Melodia Branca" performing
on solo guitar.
There's no question that Guinga is a gifted composer and guitarist
as evident on this body of musical works. Beyond that, the brilliant
work of arranger Gilson Peranzzetta needs to be commended as
it captures the essence of Guinga's compositions elevating the
music to a higher level. This is a top-notch recording that is
very much recommended.
review by John Davis
JDavis@latnjazzclub.com
Contributing writer
LatinJazzClub Magazine
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