Brazil
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
The Twin Cities artist Chris Castino might best be known as the vocalist/guitarist/songwriter of The Big Wu, and this solo debut allows him to bring his many years of experience and unparalleled talent into a very diverse and personal body of work.
“Chinese Whispers” opens the listen with Nicholas David’s warm keys and Dylan Nau’s glowing pedal steel, as Castino’s smooth singing and warm guitar helps make for a cozy version of Americana, and “Fire & Stars” follows with agile drumming from JT Bates, where Jill Mikelson’s very pretty pipes help complement the dreamy song craft.
In the middle, the folk-influenced strumming of “Someway” benefits much from Jimmy Rogers’ playful bass and Doug Christianson’s fluid drumming in the album’s best, while the country spirited “Reckless” is a more musically bare but vocally strong moment that showcases Bettina Villamil’s fiddle.
Close to the end, “Beginner’s Mind” is a more lush offering that’s got melody and rhythm thanks to Gregg ‘Cheech’ Hall’s slide guitar and Chad Whittaker’s bass, and “Don’t Break My Heart” exits with Toby Marshall’s frisky keyboards and Castino’s thick guitar that tips its hat to his many years playing in rock bands.
A very well thought out and executed listen, there’s funk, blues, and soulful moments to be found across Brazil, and it sure does a great job of capturing the immense talent of this Minnesota legend.
Travels well with: Fireside Collective- Across The Divide; Kitchen Dwellers- Wise River