Love Affair: Music of Ivan Lins

Ivan Lins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00004Y6S3
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,627 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #56 in Music > World Music > Latin Music > Samba

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pop artists have a "Love Affair" with Brazilian songwriter, October 30, 2000

By 

John Jones "Musician" (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love Affair: Music of Ivan Lins (Audio CD)

Everyone is familiar with the compositions of Brazilian songwriting legend Atonio Carlos Jobim ("The Girl From Ipanema," "Desafinado," "Corcovado"), but another writer poised for legendary status is Ivan Lins, the subject of this immensely entertaining tribute album. Long celebrated among musicians, Lins may now find himself with some bona fide hits on his hands.

The most obvious contender is Sting's "She Walks This Earth," a new Lins composition that fits the ex-Policeman's vocals and persona so well, the track would be right at home on one of his own projects. Lush chord changes and a bright vibraphone add to the track's appeal and the end result is a Bossa Nova-tinged pop treasure. Smooth jazz radio will no doubt latch onto Vanessa Williams' "Love Dance," an adult contemporary hit-in-waiting if ever there was one: Williams' voice is in its usual smooth pop/soul glory, sax man Dave Koz offers up a killer solo, and the arrangement just begs for a candlelit dinner for two. Lisa Fischer and James "D-Train" Williams offer another potential hit in the soulful and rhythmic "You Moved Me to This."

Brenda Russell (one of Lins' frequent lyricists, here responsible for two tracks) steps in for a lovely vocal on "Nocturne," and jazz diva Dianne Reeves is (as usual) sheer perfection on the intoxicating "Sweet Presence." This isn't to say the project is a completely mellow affair, however. Chaka Khan offers up her usual fire on "So Crazy With This Love," a percussive midtempo funk workout that will no doubt thrill fans of the jazzy experiments Chaka has dabbled in over the years. Guitarist Peter White offers a more traditional-flavored "Elis," and the tight harmonies of New York Voices soar over the insistent samba of "Answered Prayers." Fittingly, Lins himself provides the finale, an infectiously spirited "Somos Todos Iquais Nesta Noite."

Producer Jason Miles reigns in every top-notch song and gifted artist with amazing ease, and the end result is an inspired tribute to an aspiring songwriter. Don't be a bit surprised if "Love Affair" starts exactly that between American radio and Ivan Lins.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful., September 28, 2000

By 

A. Hukal (Oceanside, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love Affair: Music of Ivan Lins (Audio CD)

Ivan Lins is hardly a household name in the US, despite a long and varied career in Brazil. A collaboration with a number of "big name" singers and musicians, this title may finally bring him some well-deserved recognition. I am not a big Sting fan, but his voice is perfect for "She Walks This Earth," a tune that (oddly enough) reminds me of The Police song "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." Vanessa Williams, Brenda Russell, and Diane Reeves also manage to infuse their tracks with breathless passion. There are a couple tracks that are a little too "smooth jazz" for my tastes, but overall the disc is a really pleasant listen. Ivan Lins is an extremely talented composer, and the pairings on this disc shine.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have one for the house and one for the car!, January 17, 2001

By 

"centb2" (Irving, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Affair: Music of Ivan Lins (Audio CD)

This musical tribute to Ivan Lins is an absolute gem. Sting was made to sing 'She Walks This Earth' -- a must hear for all Sting fans! Other standouts include 'Answered Prayers' and 'You moved me to this.' The last track by Ivan Lins has led me to search for more of his music. Very smooth, classy music. Buy 2!