Customer Reviews

Optimista

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i have been blessed to have had so much access to wonderful music throughout my short exsistence here on planet earth (over thirty and not counting)! however, this cd stands so far from the rest (excluding a few) that i can't even put it into one of my own categories! what has taken place here is an artist taking their talents to another level. monday, although not really known stateside, has had some great success overeseas. but instead of following the popular music route to gain a following here in the states, she took her talents to another hemisphere! without any exaggeration, this album will have you "singing to the top of your lungs". there's no need for me to write about certain tracks or explain why this is different from the rest...trust me, you'll fall in between the verses and bridges and wrap yourself with her positive,subtle messages. no matter how i feel (and i work in a somewhat stressful environment) this album picks me up and cradles me like mamma (don't let my wife see this)! enjoy it and oh yeah...play it loud!

THIS CD IS A MUST FOR ALL WHO WANT TO EXPERIENCE TRUE MUSICIANS(ARTIST/PERFORMERS): ALL TRACKS ARE INTROSPECTIVE AND DEEP...IN A TIME WHEN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED, I HAVE FOUND THE BEST WAY TO FIND GOOD MUSIC IS TO JUST TAKE A CHANCE ON ARTISTS WITH A LONG MUSICAL HISTORY SUCH AS MONDAY MICHIRU....I THINK SHE IS WORTH THE EFFORT OF SEEKING OUT HER CDS.

Forget about the 'foreign-import' price tag. Its nothing compared to the amount of money you've (probably) wasted making your last 10 CD purchases. Monday Michiru's release is simply priceless. Her music is exquisite and wealthy in texture (horns, flute etc) that will definitely groove your Mind, Body and Soul. Yea, Monday...U go girl!!

There are already great reviews about this very good CD by Monday Michiru Mariano; all I'd like to add is that, this is a very Jazzy, very Clubby recording with heavy amounts of Latin Jazz and Brazilian Jazz spices.

Actually people from both worlds are here in this great CD.:
* from Latin Jazz:
- Dave Valentin on flutes on cut number 2
- Raul Agraz and Pedro Rodriguez on trumpet on cuts number 7 & 11
- Luis Pedromo on piano on cuts number 7 & 11
- John Benitez on bass on cuts number 7 & 11
- Pedro Pablo Martinez on percussion on cut number 11

* from Brazilian Jazz:
- Lisa Ono on guitar and additional vocals on cut number 12
- Carlos and Maria on cut number 6

Overall, the album is very well worth the high import price, it's a true collectible.

Monday is truly amazing vocalist - one of the best jazz ones currently living. At first, I wasn't too sure I'd like "Optimista." It took several days to grow on me. You see, I had spent the prior several weeks listening to one of my favorite album by Monday's named "Delicious Poison" which was more funk based. So, the shift from funk to Brazilian Samba/AfroCuban Salsa/Latin music (although I listen to this genre too) took some time to get used to. But, grow on me it did.

The lyrics on "Optimista" - like her previous efforts "Jazz Brat" & "Delicious Poison" - are heartfelt, introspective, positive, and deep. I could relate to many of the situations that Monday writes about. Hearing the songs on "Optimista" makes me feel hopeful and that things can change. Monday's lyrics acknowledge pain - but also people's ability to rise above that anger, pain, darkness and move foward toward a better future. Every time I go back to listening to this album I get something different. And it helps that the music also makes you want to shake your booty too while listening to her deep and life-affirming lyrics too!

All the arrangments on "Optimista" are exquisitely beautiful and well-done. I'm a woman who loves drumming. The drumming solos on "Optimista" literally had the hairs standing up on my back and my booty shaking because they were so beautiful. I really loved the Blocos Do Afros (which are akin to Brazilian drumming.) "Higher" which reminds me little of some Brazilian axe I've heard in Musica Populaire Brasilera (MPB) is one of my favorites with the sparse drumming and just Monday singing with her back up singers. The drumming on "Emerald Life" will have anyone dancing. "Let It Go," and "Play It by Ear" are too more positive songs. "Zurich Samba" has no lyrics - Monday just scats freeform along to the music. The effect is wonderful...and did I mention the drumming on this song *smiles.* "Tomorrow's Sunrise" is closest to the style of contemporary jazz, and Monday scats on this one too. "Full Bottle of Soul" uses sparkly jazz textures, and is yet another favorite."Thinking of Love" and "Mango Margarita" uses the traditional Afro-Cuban Salsa style. "Oasis" is more acid-jazz. "Suspira" is yet another favorite.

I know that there are a lot of five star reviews on this album, which I admit that sometimes I'm even skeptical of. If you're hesitant about the price, or taking a chance on Monday... then try to find samples of "Optimista" to listen to online. I picked up Monday based on an Amazon.com recommendation by another reviewer (jazzbrat), but, to me the chance well-worth it. I recommend "Optimista" if you're a fan of Acid Jazz, AfroCuban/Brazilian styles then this is an album that I wouldn't hesitate adding to my collection. And if you get the chance, I'd also pick up "Delicious Poison" too by Monday if you like funky grooves.

This is some of the most beautiful music I've heard in a while. Monday is indeed an Optimista, but one with a purpose. Her lyrics are happy and inspiring without the cloying over-sentimentality that pervades so many pop songs. The music is carefully arranged, and the backing talent has the chops to make it shine (check out Dave Valentin's flute on "Higher"). It has a jazzy, Brazilian/Afro-Cuban soul vibe running through it, reminding me a bit of Monday's compatriots United Future Organization and Soul Bossa Trio, only more sophisticated. The import price is a real smack in the face, but it's worth it! Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Why they haven't released this one in the States is beyond me.

An album of true, not superficial, optimism. This is music for the body, mind, and sould together, not as separate entities.

Plus, in "Oasis", we have all the reason we need to never accept non-creative pop music EVER again.

I looked for this CD for 2 years and finally found it!! Very latin groove -- Brazilian type jazz --