Brazilian Groove Band - Anatomy of Groove [Album]

Far Out Recordings

November 4, 2009, 11:57 PM

Views: 199   Comments: 2

Buy Brazilian Groove Band - Anatomy of Groove [Album] From Amazon.com

Talking with a chum who’s an academic I'm aware of just how easy it is to create language that becomes a barrier to understanding. The same thing happens with music. Music lovers can be scared off by labels that become barriers not only to their understanding but also to their greater enjoyment. Which is why I’m all in favour of websites and radio stations that create individual play lists based around known and liked artists.

‘Funk’ is one of my blind spots. So I would never have listened to "Anatomy of Groove" because it’s ‘jazz-funk,’ irrespective of the fact that I love jazz. But thank goodness this terrific CD is by the Brazilian Groove Band and as I love Brazilian grooves I figured I’d give it a try. And I’m so glad I did. This album was recorded in New York in 1999. Ultimately it was decided it was too experimental for release so only now are these ten great North American – Latin cross-over jazz tracks seeing the light of day.

Conceived by Leo Gandelman, one of Brazil’s finest saxophonists, also a composer, arranger and producer, the recordings brought together some of the finest musicians of the era to mix authentic Brazilian strings and percussion known as MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) with heavy New York brass, creating an amazing, cutting edge instrumental album of startling energy and originality. Only ten years on it still sounds vibrant but somehow now reminds one more of the music that accompanied 70s movies like Shaft, Super Fly and The French Connection. Check out 'April 7th' to see what I mean.

For stronger Rio sounds there’s 'Pirulito,' 'Pau Grande' and 'Dance,' while 'Charlie 1' features the brilliant jazz guitar of Grant Green Jr. 'Groove in the Head,' 'Bananeira' and 'Hip Baiao' are a good deal ‘funkier’ than the remainder, with organist Reuben Wilson being brought to the fore, but they remain accessible and didn’t frighten me off. My fave though is the opener, 'Safari,' with fabulous horn playing that’s both controlled and free at the same time. Very safari-like. I love it!

There are no evident barriers here: "The Anatomy of Groove" is the real deal; understandable, accessible, thoroughly enjoyable ‘jazz-funk’ that even I am happy around; smooth, sexy, beautifully composed, supremely played and fantastically well produced. Heck knows why they waited so long.

#1 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report