Customer Reviews

Jazzinho/ Atlas

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The music on this CD is a perfect blend of modern Brazilian rhythms, jazz and on some tracks chillout. Guida de Palma the lead singer is divine! Her vocals play off the percolating grooves from her band. I enjoyed every track, especially "Moody Maria".

This is indeed a fabulous CD. Top quality nu-jazz/bossa/samba--with a bit of Cuban timba peeking out on a couple of tracks. Some stand-out qualities: the instrumentation, musicianship, breaks and production values are as hip, clean, and smooth as you will hear anywhere. Also, the subtle touches of funky soulful flavor that season the expert bossa and samba flows are absolutely pitch-perfect while the jazzier/funkier and remix numbers are as deftly infused with just the right Brazilian flavor as anything you'll find. And finally there is the voice--bell-tone clear, sensual and transcendent: a transculturated and truly unique combination of bossa sensibility and souful jazz timing/phrasing that you simply won't hear anywhere else. It's the voice of a serious musical talent thoroughly steeped in two musical languages and traditions.

Buy this CD.

As a long time fan of the brazillian jazz scene, I did not expect to be so completely overwhelmed by a project. This CD far exceeded my wildest expectations. Absolutely every track is worth listening to.

Rarely am I ever capable of listening to a CD without skipping tracks ~ Jazzinho afforded me this opportunity.

I can't wait to hear their other offerings.

If you have a love of jazz as well as a passion for brazilian styled flavorings you MUST get this album. From the outset it opens you on full range of emotions, in particular songs like "velejou" and "Constelaco" which make you feel as though you are standing on a beach on some tropical island basking in the glow of the stars with that warm tingly feeling all over you. The album, as you can tell by the song titles, is almost completely in a brazilian (or some other South American Language). However, it almost adds to the beauty of each song. JAZZINHO is a must have for your jazz collection..!

I love this album. The whole album cheers me up whenever I get in a funky mood -- and I still turn to this great album from time to time for a listen. Guida De Palma easily floats between her native Portuguese and English without blinking an eye. If I'm not mistaken, I think that De Palma is a London-based artist born in Portugal. But she sings with all the authenticity of many Brazilian chanteuses.

Chris Frank -- from another great group called Da Lata -- wrote many of the songs. De Palma is a great jazz vocalist. My favorite songs are Sim ou Nao, Velejou, Yambou, and Vertigo. I also like the remake of the classic Brazilian song Telefone (sung at one point by Brazilian Bossa Nova queen Nara Leao). But, De Palma does an upbeat, fun version of the song. This album is a keeper!

If you're keen on downtempo Brasilian lounge, but looking for something more funky and danceable, look no further. Guida's melodious voice paired with subtle remixes maintain that quintessential chill out vibe while stepping it up a notch with some serious bass. If Jazzinho is good for a sunny weekend morning/afternoon, this CD is meant for groovey sunsets and a touch of 'tude. GET THIS!

Now this is quality music. I picked up the cd because I heard the remix version of "constelacao" on an earlier purchased lounge cd. IMO, the remix of that song is enough to purchase the cd by itself. Nonetheless, the cd is sophisticated, mature, smooth-flowing Brazilian-flavored music at its finest. The singer has a great voice whose style and range fit well with the music. I'm not a musician so I don't know all the terminology, but I'm a big fan of harmony in music, especially in the female voice, and this provides it in spades (think Tom Tom Club or jazz group Shakatak). Recommended!

I need to catch my breath. Wow! It's been a while since I was truly blown away by an album. But this one managed to do just that. Jazzinho... or "sweet little jazz" as the album subtitles, is a breathtaking journey through nu-brazil and nu-jazz. The main reason I picked this up was after hearing a sweet remix of "Constelação". Then, after realising that Christian Franck (of Batu, Smoke City, Da Lata) was heavily involved in this project along with criminally underrated Guida De Palma, it was a no brainer.

First, the songs. Amazing. Guida De Palma's voice is an absolute dream. Hailing from Portugal, her background in jazz, Brazilian music and live singing comes to the forefront in her work on the cuts. Meanwhile her voice is accompanied by tight, stellar musicianship which never goes beyond its range. In fact, the musicianship is what carries this album. The act teases you with loops and hooks you in each track. From the first song, "Yambou", you know you're going on a special musical journey. IMO not the best vocal arrangement for Guida but stil very strong. It's a song that'll make you visualize arriving in Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport. Odd, but it sort of reminds me of Sergio Mendes' work in the mid/early 90's, but vastly updated and polished (already good tunes made better). Followed up is a funky track written with Christian Franck titled "Sim ou Nao" that inserts a bit of attitude. "Moody Maria" is a sexy slow cut, as is "Velejou". "Telefone" is a cute remake of the Roberto Menescoal classic and Camponesa has obvious middle Eastern and African influences and is also very strong. But my favorite cuts - 1 is "Vertigo", the only song with all English lyrics, which highlights just how special Guida's voice is in any jazz setting. So rich yet soft! And then there's the original "Constelação". From the moment she sings "Olha para o ceu, irmão"... I melt.

Without question, this is a must have. I've been listening to this since I got it. But a bit of advice - if you can, pick up the remix project - this one right here. It costs more but is well worth it as it has the remix of "Constelação" and a few extra stellar remixes; "Yambou" is very nice too. When you think it's over, it kicks up again, perfect for a classy nu-Brazilian dance comp finale. I believe it's a Korean import, not Japanese. Also, if you dig this, you'll want to catch a group out of Spain called "Wagon Cookin'". They're not offered on Amazon, but they're cd titled "Appetizers" is very good, albeit a bit funkier. You can hear a sort of 70's Brazilian vibe in "Lua" taken off of Glucklich vol 5. Not funky, just very smooth. Also, BY ALL MEANS check out the compilation "Brazilution 5.2", which features the "Constelação" remix along with a few other songs that mesh very well with it: Nature's Plan feat Azymuth's cut "Somewhere Beyond", Tricatel Inc's "Alegria" and Concorde à L'Orange's "Drifting". Finally, check out Da Lata's "Songs from the Tin", although it's not as polished as this group. Enjoy!

Wow !!, I agree with the previous reviewer.
Everything in this CD is absolutely awesome; the music, the style and sofisticated taste, and most importantly: Guida de Palma.
Wow !!, her voice is very special and unique, and sometimes reminiding us of singers ranging from Rosalia de Souza to Flora Purim.
There's no weak cut in this CD (and that's hard to find).
I have hundreds of Brazilian Jazz CDs, and this one is easily in the best 10, no questions asked.
I love it !!!!!!!!!!!!

I reviewed the initial domestic release less than a year ago along with the Korea import. This one though - it's DEFINITELY the one to get. The Korean import version is now available in the USA - the difference being that the import had about 4 remixes tacked onto the end of the album that were certainly worth it. The other difference is that the order of the tracks are different here than on the other two releases. Re: Jazzinho - they're a group consisting of some exceptional tight musicians highlighted by Guida De Palma's vocals. She's a very good singer from Portugal. Another key reason I picked this up was because I'm a huge fan of Smoke City and Da Lata, which are a few of Christian Franck's other works.

This is a killer album. It starts out with "Sim Ou Não" (one of the major differences between this and the others) instead of the energetic and breezy Yambou. "Sim Ou Não" is a track with that bit of attitude and tight organization - neat guitar, great hooks. Meanwhile "Yambou", which is moved towards the end of the CD, reminds me a bit of Sergio Mendes more recent work (from say 1996 with Oceano) although IMO it wasn't the best vocal arrangement for Guida. "Vertigo" was another track that takes you away... quick and... again... tight. I could go on and on about the songs; other stand-outs to me were the original "Constelacao" and "Astral". And then there are the remixes; the Sleep Walker version of "Sim Ou Nao" has a great moodiness in it and there's also the full 12" version of Phil Asher's remake to "Yambou", along with Quant's full edit of "Constelacao" - both of which are chopped a bit in different compilations. Both are stellar... Constelacao given a heavy beat and groove while Yambou has a poppy tune that'll make you wish you hit the beach more this summer.

I HIGHLY recommend this. Especially this remix version. And if you have this and like this, definitely check out Brazilution 5.2, along with some of these artists and groups: Wagon Cookin', Soul Quality Quartet, A Bossa Eletrica, Povo and Rosalia De Souza. Also - Guida features in a couple of sweet 12" (vinyls), like "O Misterio" with Nathan Haines, and a cut on Kyoto Jazz Massive's album. "O Misterio" can also be heard on Brazilution 5.3. The only gripe I have is that I actually prefered the other track order.

edit - please note that the title to this is NOT "Atlas". It is simply "Jazzinho". I cannot stress that enough. "Atlas" was the name of their new album for 2006, but now that will not be the name of the upcoming album either.