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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential, August 30, 2001
If you're not familiar with Egberto Gismonti's music, I'd start with this one. Not that it's the most accessible one, but simply because this one will deeply touch you, most likely. It's my favorite one, among the 15-some CDs I got. When I heard this one in my early 20s, it totally changed my musical horizon, and opened doors. This music seems as pure and intuitive as it could be. It's pure emotion, while its musicality and complexity are beyond the reach of most of us fellow musicians. Gismonti and Vasconcelos are going beyond the bondaries of any classification. There is something of the native amazonian forest people in there, there is classical music too, probably due to Gismonti's classical piano training with Nadia Boulanger, and Villa-Lobos influence, there is lots of heart and emotions. I don't know many artists who have been able to reach such heights on both guitar and piano (Ralph Towner is probably the other one). I consider Nana Vasconcelos as the best percussionist of all times. Egberto and Nana are the most amazing duo. My 2 cents.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magico!, May 4, 2001
Egberto Gismonti is one of the most talented jazz musicians around. His flute-playing is pretty impressive on side one; his guitar work, also on side one, is simply staggering. But when you turned the LP over and heard his fantastic piano, you cannot help but be amazed. I know nothing about the technicalities of playing keyboards, but if someone had told me it was Keith Jarrett or Lyle Mays playing, I would have believed them. This is one of those LPs that I bought when it first came out, back in 1977, and have re-purchased on CD. This is where it all started, ECM-wise, for Gismonti and Vansconcelos. As soon as you start playing the album, you feel like you've let the Amazonian jungle into your room. Vasconcelos can conjure up an entire rainforest with his percussive background effects. Gismonti spent a period in the Brazilian jungle working with Indian musicians in order to gather material for this album, and it shows ... wonderfully. I should add that Gismonti is a classically trained musician -- he had studied in Paris. This album is quite unlike any other in my collection. It is definitely not from the Windham Hill or Narada stables. Difficult in parts, it's magical everywhere.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The true masterpiece, August 15, 2005
As you hear to this music, you will enjoy one of the most singular and beautiful musical experiences one can ever have. Egberto Gismontis' sincerity, and his sense of touch, rhythm and musical spirit goes far beyond any standard, and reaches a realm of freedom and beauty that truly enhances our cultural condition, remaining as "a thing of beauty", sublime and lasting forever. Alone or in the context of his whole work, this recording expresses one of the most original musical minds of this centuries (XX and XXI). So, take your time, make sure nothing will brake your listening, and do enjoy this musical rite as a true ascension to the heights of beauty.
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