VARIOUS ARTISTS
Romance In Rio (32 Jazz)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Romance In Rio hews close to the formula that made 32's "Jazz For..." series the jazz marketing success story of the 90s - quality players with decent reps featured on accessible music that never moves far from the ballad or mid-tempo range.

Of course, bossa nova is an ideal genre for such a format, and this new collection focuses on that Brazilian style to great effect. There's not a disappointing performance on the disc, although there's not a great deal of particularly adventurous music either. Still, as a background for a romantic evening, or as a primer on Brazilian music as interpreted by an impressive range of North American jazz artists, it's a well above average effort.

If it's particularly noteworthy, it's probably for the roster of guitarists in the 32 catalog. Anytime you can find Jimmy Ponder, Pat Martino, Grant Green and Kenny Burrell on the same disc, buy it. Bruce Forman may not have as big a rep as the others, but he also turns in some fine fretwork as a sideman for vibraphonist Bobby Hutchseson on "Besama Mucho." Beyond the guitarists, the highlight for me is the Houston Person/Ron Carter duet on Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Quiet Nights.

Highlights aren't the main point here, though, It's primarily a mood album, and the mood set is totally satisfying, in no small part because the performances are consistently pleasing.

Track List:

Al Cohn & Zoot Sims/Brazilian Medley: Recado Bossa Nova>The Girl From Ipanema>One Note Samba * Jimmy Ponder & Dr. Lonnie Smith/Ruby * Arturo O'Farrill Trio/Wave * Pat Martino/How Insensitive * Mulgrew Miller & Kenny Garrett/Sonhos do Brasil * Kenny Burrell/So Little Time * Grant Green/Samba De Orpheus * Houston Person & Ron Carter/Quiet Nights * Bobby Hutcherson/Besame Mucho * Ralph Moore & Roy Hargrove/Phoebe's Samba

© 2001 - Shaun Dale