Irina Zubareva

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Bridges To Rio

Zoho, 2021

8/10

Listen to Bridges To Rio

A Russian vocalist who now calls New York home and who has performed all over the world, Irina Zubareva meshes the traditions of her home country with plenty of Latin influences on this live recorded album.

“Samba Little Samba / Show de Bola (Ao Vivo)” starts the listen with a festive spirit that displays Zubareava’s soulful and playful pipes alongside Misha Tsiganov’s frisky piano and Portinho’s animated drumming, and “Copacabana” follows with much grace and warmth entering the expressive singing amid a cultured jazz climate that embraces vocal scatting.

In the middle, “L’dinka” shuffles with a quick pace of stunning finger acrobatics from Tsiganov, as Zubareva brings much Brazilian spirit, while “I’m Beginning To See The Light” recruits a swinging jazz flavor to a lively atmosphere that will be sure to get your body moving. “Moey Dushe Pokoya Net” then textures the setting superbly with its precise keys, strategic bass by Itaiguara Brandao and agile drums complementing the mesmerizing scatting.

Closer to the end, the dreamy “Enredo Do Meu Samba” emits a timeless romantic tone, and the bouncy “U Prirody Net Ploho Pogody” exit the listen with all the players interacting with much skill and poise.

Though the idea of Brazilian Samba, American Jazz and Russian compositions meshing together might seem a bit unorthodox, Zubareva and company pull it off splendidly and with the utmost attention to detail as they execute plenty of rich grooves.

Travels well with: Arturo O’Farrill And The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra- Virtual Birdland; Nelson Riveros- The Latin Side Of Wes Montgomery