Quatro: Bossa Nova Deluxe
Groove Note, 2019
8/10
Listen to Quatro: Bossa Nova Deluxe
Th esteemed songstress Douyé brings us influences from the ‘50s and ‘60s across 16 tracks here, where nods to Brazilian and African sounds are present as help from Romero Lubambo, Otmaro Ruiz, Edwin Livingston, and Leo Costa, among others, illuminate the agile and exciting record.
“Blue Bossa” starts the album and wastes no time making an impression with the beaming brass, elegant percussion and soft keys that populate the timeless melodies, and “Triste” follows with a gentle guitar complementing Douyé’s radiant pipes in the graceful atmosphere.
Closer to the middle, “Girl From Ipanema” shuffles with a playful groove amid sparkling keys and a dance friendly approach, while “One Note Samba” utilizes vocal scatting alongside Douyé’s versatile singing in a busy display of frisky jazz prowess. “Wave”, one of the album’s best, then cultivates a romantic mood with strategic flute from Justo Almario.
Deeper, towards the end, “Song For My Father” offers spirited guitar and plenty of warmth and grooves, and “Dindi” exits the listen bare and sublime, with just an acoustic guitar from Lubambo accompanying Douyé’s expressive singing.
A effort that covers much territory, big band sounds as well as moments of intimacy are on hand, as Douyé and company add another rich and radiant collection to her exceptional catalog of music.
Travels well with: John DiMartino- Passion Flower: The Music Of Billy Strayhorn; Alberto Pibiri- Jazz Legacy