Ed is jazzy!
andrei polessi | 09/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are already an Ed's fan, get ready for Dwitza! Finally he had the chance to let go all his jazz influences, without having to worry about commercial issues. This is a must-have item in any funk/soul/jazz/bossa-nova-lover collection.Ed mixe's all his influence's with the swing and vivacity of the brazilian music.That's so suttle, yet so sharp, showing us in a glimpse his strong personality and his unique style. A "vocal-virtuose" that is reinventing brazilian jazz today. (...not only my opinion but also Chucho Valdez's opinion, recently playing some gigs with Ed around Brazil!)Dwitza is a must to understand the unfold of brazilian music today; it re-pays an homenage to the percursors of the samba-funk of the 70's, such us Banda Black Rio, Dom Salvador and Cassiano. Enjoy!"
Ed Motta is a must for fans of soul and jazz
John W. Kramer | UK | 10/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm writing this review having seen Ed Motta last night (22nd Oct) at the Jazz Cafe in London, and after hearing tracks off the new album. In one word: Incredible. You have got to see this guy and hear his music. I take issue with the claims by some reviewers (including here) that his music just copies or mimics other artists or styles. It sounds like those reviewers have some grudge against this artist, and I suspect they have not seen him live. Ed clearly has a lot of influences in his music, but who doesn't? It's a positive thing collaboration, as with last night Ed did an improvised duet with Bluely from Incognito on one of that bands tracks. Stunning.Ed has a unique style, both in playing and singing/scat, which is really exciting and fresh. You will hear echoes of the past brought into the modern era, and the blend is not just fantastic but progressive. A hearty recommendation to go and get this CD, it's a keeper and a creeper!JazzWak"
Uau !
Peppino | 05/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As Edmottalândia's "ambassador", to say, ... I hope all will soon recognize this young "veterano" as a MAJOR musical force in the United States, which seems to be a step behind the rest of this bola-confusão planeta in realizing what a fresh breeze blows from Tijuca's gift to the musics world.-- Not often will you hear popular musics that contain high level jazz-style soloing, and arrangements worthy of being called some of the most delicious in all popular style musics as in the world of "Edmottiana".
- For my tastes,He even eclipsed Steely Dan with his hybrid of complex and diverse musical gestures ,mixing with danceable grooves and memorable compositional "hooks" with 1st division harmonic sofistications.
The musical vision of Ed Motta (IMO) is FAR more advanced than most músicos of his (the current) generation, as he is a TRUE FAN of so many musical styles.
Only musical compatriots as Jairzinho, Max De Castro,and Simoninha and a few others (I will not make a lista here)continue the sucessful"cannibalisation " all styles into personal musical statements.
You hear the influences ring in the compositions, but the final result is ED Motta totally.
NOW , to this cd, which represents a "novo fase" from the Ed Motta , a deliberate departure from commercial styles.
This cd is rendering sounds of samba-jazz,
ballads featuring jazz comping guitar,
Latino (with a wonderful tounge-in cheek reference to OYE COMO Va, Santana version on "Coisas Naturais"),
showtune/movie musics,.. and even French Waltz-Musette!Ed Motta is the first "cat" since Donny Hathaway(who i feel "EM" vocal style MOST resembles, ironically)to use the Wurlitzer electric piano in a tasteful manner ...I really enjoy the musical path Ed Motta has opened, it would be easier to list the musics he is NOT influenced by than to mention the sounds that seem closest to his heart! Also , must give a WORD ABOUT the musical "company" he keeps, suffice to say- he collaborates the services of legend Jota Moraes(vibes and piano/teclados)or
"Paulinho Guitarra", who can affect sound like EVERY guitarist Steely Dan has ever used(on this cd, listen to his Skunk Baxter/Denny Dias solo on the Steely Dan influenced blues, "Unduria"!)
Teco Cardoso plays some 60s jazz baritone sax - "BLACKJAZZ" variety, not "Gerry Mulligan style", (risos) on the simmering "Malumbulo"!As usual, Edzinho sings/scats full of emotion and passion for musics-- a true music enthusiast cannot sound any other way..., it is obvious how much EM loves musics,his heart is afame with passion...>I forget which faixa, but there is even a humorous interlude with brass choir that sounds influenced by Frank Zappa's "Waka Jawaka" period jazzrock! A new Ed Motta is due soon, at the time of this review, so there is more great sounds coming . 10 million stars-- ...Ed Motta goes beyond musical convention into a space we can only call his own..."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1