Customer Reviews

Voltar Pro Rio

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

 

 

Kleber is fantastic; his Brazilian Jazz and MPB fusion is as fresh, inventive, and full of imagination as it gets. I disagree with the last reviewer about Kleber's interpretations in English; I think his accent and phrasing are awesome; and if we look around for other Brazilian singers in this market like Bebel Gilberto, Kenia, Gracinha Leporace and many others; we find that that's exactly what makes them so amazing; that portuguese accent combined with English is peerless. Anyhow, the absolut highlights (all 12 songs are superb) are: Voltar Pro Rio with his guest Justo Almario on Soprano Sax, Golden Dance, Trovador and Mangueira.
If you are into Brazilian Jazz and/or MPB, this is a MUST-HAVE; don't let it pass you by.

Kleber Jorge was guitarist and singer in the last incarnation of Brazil 99, the Sergio Mendes group. This is is a solo album of his own material: terrific, tuneful, delivered by a guy with a marvelous, slippery voice. BUT: beware the sappy English lyrics cruelly pasted onto four of the 12 cuts. The 8 cuts Jorge delivers in flawless Portugese--including his own wonderful Nana Das Aguas--eclipse the banal drivel some unhelplful hand has decided must be here for airplay or accessibility. When will the label dorks trying to break this music in North America realize the fans desperate for this Latin stuff want the real thing, not some lame, Anglo-unassisted translation? Jorge is closer to Mendez and Ivan Lins in his poppy genre than to Nascimento or even Djavan. But if upbeat pop's what you want, this fills the bill. Would have given it five stars--EXCEPT for the botched Anglo-cuts. Great voice, great production, bubbly percussion, at least three of the cuts are knock-outs. Probably essential for anyone who loves or follows Brazilian jazz or pop.

I have been a fan of Kleber Jorge for many years, as my brother Bill Cantos has played with him in his band. I have been an aficionado of Brazilian music since the 60's. I call this album my "happy music" - guaranteed to put me in a great mood the from the first cut.