Search - Jim Tomlinson :: So Nice: Brazilian Sketches

Brazilian Sketches - Jim Tomlinson

11/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It would be difficult to rave too much about this collection by Jim Tomlinson. Clearly he is a tenor player in the Getz/Young mold, BUT, his sound and flowing lines are unique unto themselves. I have rarely enjoyed an album as much as this one put together by contemporary players. It is easily one of the finest Bossa Nova releases since the sixties era when BN was at it's height. Tomlinson has a searing, flowing beauty to his lines that add incredible warmth to these mostly Jobim tunes. That his wife, the incredible Stacey Kent takes part in 4 of the tracks is just another reason for what must be rated as a ***** album. Don't miss it!"

Tomlinson captures the sound of the past

rash67 | USA | 04/26/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most of my favorites, the greats, are dead, I'm sorry to say. San Getz is gone, as is Lester Young and Paul Desmond. The Cool Jazz sax men who knew that the best place to start is with a pleasing sound.



But Jim Tomlinson is very much alive and brings back, variously, the sound of all three! These songs have Stan the Man Getz's breathy sweet tone (without some of the fire) and Lester Young's phrasing, but also the dry martini sound of Paul Desmond. It's a pleasure to hear a new sax man who pays attention to tone! Here Tomlinson plays a series of (mostly) Jobim songs which were popularized by Stan Getz.



The backup band could be a tad more assertive, and Tomlinson could have made it all instrumental and left the wife at home (Stacey Kent adds something on "So Nice", but not much on "Dreamer"), but that's a minor drawback.



Fine renditions of Bossa Nova classics that could have come from the heyday in the mid-sixties. Well worth the price of admission.



Curl up, have some wine and fly off to Rio.



2005 update - saw Stacy Kent & Jim at Blues Alley in DC and his technique and sound continues to just get better and better and more like Stan Getz, the King. He had a new album recorded. I keep looking for it - can't wait!"

Jim Tomlinson moves into the spotlight with this one

Steve Emerine | Tucson, AZ United States | 09/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've only seen Jim Tomlinson once, when he came to Tucson as the very skillful tenor sax guy who backed up his talented wife, vocalist Stacey Kent. In this CD, he moves to the forefront and shows how good he really is on eight Antonio Carlos Jobim tunes, plus three more from Marcos Valle, Luis Bonfa and Matt Dubey, and some guy named Cole Porter. Tomlinson is a lyrical, fluid and sensitive saxophonist whose artistry makes you want to hear more. As a bonus, Stacey appears on four tracks. Her vocals and Tomlinson's sax solos on Porter's "I Concentrate on You" and "The Gentle Rain" by Bonfa and Dubey are worth replaying many times. Finally, pay special attention to guitarist Colin Oxley, who moves the songs along well without intruding. All in all, this is a fine album!"