Corcovado

They Say...

Review by Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide

Not many artists have immersed themselves in quite the cultural combination that Concord Special Products has assembled for the Colors of Latin Jazz series. This six-CD series captures the sweet, hot, happy, and rhythmic joys of Latin jazz. Colors of Latin Jazz: Corcovado! is the perfect culmination for the initial offerings of this splendid and exciting series. The perfect nightcap is the sweet voice of Karrin Allyson originally heard on Daydream and here on "Corcovado." She's as soft as the tear of a raindrop. Her serene essence is heard again in Portuguese singing Caetano Veloso's "Coracao Vagabundo," a soft bossa nova originally issued on From Paris to Rio. Romero Lubambo, Nilson Matta, and Duduka Da Fonseca join Trio Da Paz on the five-minute reprise of "Vera Cruz" featured from Brasil From the Inside. By the time you hear "Summer in San Francisco" by Hendrik Muerkens or Manfredo Fest and Susannah McCorkle emanating their resonant beauty on a pair of Antonio Carlos Jobim classics, you will have enjoyed the fluid, relentless pull of great bossa novas that have evolved into modern day Latin jazz classics for the 21st century aficionados and keepers of the Latin jazz flame. Tania Maria's sweet edge on "Triste" and "Comegar de Novo" prove why you have to blame it on the bossa nova, since she leaves you with such a pleasant feeling that expands with each listen. The great Charlie Byrd strums a beautiful "How Insensitive" originally issued on his The Bossa Nova Years. The clarinet solo of Ken Peplowski is a glowing example of the beauty and adaptability of the instrument in a Latin jazz ensemble. Charlie Byrd also closes the set with a reprise of "Corcovado," playing with the quiet, cool restraint that he is known for. Colors of Latin Jazz: Corcovado! is not only beautiful for the sheer range of the bossa novas it includes, but it is the spring amidst the rocks and a tree with its first leaves bearing The Colors of Latin Jazz. A generous gift from some of the finest artists performing Latin jazz.