Customer Reviews

Carnaval

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Carnaval is fantastic collection of songs released by Spyro Gyra. The album was originally released in 1980, the start of their golden years. The cd itself is great. All of the songs are a pleasure to listen to, and have appropriate names for the tracks. Horn parts are an integral part of this record.

My top 3 favorite songs from this cd would be 1,2, and 4. Cafe Amore has an overall excellent tone and has a very nice guitar solo featured in it. Dizzy has a unique/interesting melody to it, and the guitar, bass, and horn parts of the song are fantastic. Cachaca has a memorable melody and closes with a ripping guitar solo. Every other track is good as well.

All in all, this is a very nice album released by Spyro Gyra. It's vintage, man. It's well worth the purchase and you won't regret it, either. Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.

This is hardly a "must listen" to album, but after you've closely analized Spyro Gyra all the way through, give this a listen for fun. The sounds are so bright and happy. The opener, Cafe Amore, is your classic 1980's Spyro Gyra opener. I'm comparing it to Stories Without Words's opener, in 1987. Cool, comb, on fire, and all around, musical. The cd dips down then up again with songs like Cachaca, Fox Trot, and Sweet N' Savvy. By the way, Sweet N' Savvy is an excellent piece. Perhaps the best track on the album. From the beginning, you think it's gonna be a boring ballad, but then it kind of gets hip. But it's not until Eli Konicoffs drum beat starts the new rhythm and Spyro's off on it's way. The cd ends with the brightest most melodic song ever! Carnaval, the title track. This is curtainly a "fun" album, and if you got taste and are willing to keep your mind open about the music, you'll love this cd.

Light, happy, Latin-infused, jazzy tunes. The original album dates back to 1980, well before Latin lounge became widely popular in The States. It introduced a bit of Brazilian flair into my American upbringing, even though the band is from Buffalo, NY. Nothing to groundbreaking by today's standards. There are certainly better Latin-infused jazz bands now, but if you'd like a touch of retro, it's a pleasurable, somewhat commercial listen. By far, the stand-out is 'Cachaca'.

Este cd es realmente fantástico. Jay Beckenstein como lider del grupo sabe transmitir la emoción y la fantasía en cada una de sus improvisaciones junto con el nivel maravilloso de su grupo. Excelente sonido analógico de la grabación. Destacan los temas: DIZZY, CASHACA, SWEET AND SAVVY y CARNAVAL. Todo el cd ya es un clásico del jazz.
Muy recomendable!!!

Carnaval is a good example of what made Spyro Gyra one of the of the most popular jazz fusion acts and why they had such cross over success on the pop charts. The melodies are appealing and the tropical atmosphere is undeniable. Carnaval came out in 1980 between Morning Dance and Catching the Sun, but one thing that distinguishes Carnaval is is specific references to Brazil and the Carnaval festival. But this in not close to being travel log disc. The music remains the eclectic mix of tropical themed fusion and popular funk that was so successful for Spyro Gyra during this period. The sound and melodies are clear and clean, and so is the fun.

'Carnaval',from 1980 is has one album between it and the spectacular 'Morning Dance' from the previous year.Unlike that album this one lacks the explosiveness,passion and polyrhythms of that recording.Memories of my first year of life tend to surface whenever I hear the opening 'Cafe Amor'-my dad and mom were on a road trip while I was just born when and the tune was in heavy rotation.She found it so happy and relaxing she went out and baught the 45 RPM single of it.I loved it to so I looked for the album and found it.Alot of the music on this album isn't quite as catchy or memorable as "Cafe Amore" and (even on THAT tune) the music here is alot smoother and slicker then before.The second tune on this album is "Dizzy" the only pounding,grooving bass-driven funk song on this album.By the time we get to the closing title track it's sprightly,percussive polyrhythms and blaring horns convey the feel of a carnaval perfectly-those are the three best songs here. As for the rest of the album it tends to be very samey.Heard "Cafe Amour" and you've heard the rest of the album pretty much.And for that reason I deduct one star-it's best tunes are Spyro Gyra classics but it's just a little low on them.

Carnaval's cover art really captures the vibe of the record. Featuring Chet Catallo's hit tune "Cafe Amore" which received wide radio play in the early 80's, this album contains some of Spyro's best and most melodic work. Other highlights are "Cachaca", Tom Schuman's "Sweet & Saavy" and two wonderful ballads "Awakening" by Jeremy Wall and "Bittersweet" by leader Jay Beckenstien. An overall pleasure to listen to, this recording stands the test of time.

I found this particular title to be elating. This is one of the foundation tunes Spyro Gyro built their future and popularity on.

I don't know how to express how truly great this album is! I can't believe that there were parts of it I didn't like at some stage in time!
Fantastic!
Don't worry about anything - just buy this album, and listen to it every sunny friday afternoon!!

The first song on the CD is the best of the bunch at this Carnaval. After hearing it, you'll want the party to be over. Unless you are a die-hard Spyro Gyra fan this one will disappoint you. I bought the album twenty years ago and gave up on the group. Now in 2000 I decided to sample them again. Your best bet is "Got The Magic". The band has matured nicely.