Search - Michael Franks :: Rendezvous in Rio

Michael Franks speaks Brasilian Portuguese.......Que Coisa!

Al Sterling | So.Orange County, CA | 08/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Firstly, if you groove on Michael Franks, then you'll want to add this album to your collection. There....you've got my recommendation.



I'm a Los Angelino, married for many years to a beautiful Brasilian. Years ago, when we met, I had just discovered Michael Franks, Michael Ruff, Al Jarreau and other classic jazz vocalists.....and then my wife introduced me to Brasil, and the world of Brasilian Bossa Nova and Samba became one of my new loves.



After many wonderful years of travel to Brasil, I have accumulated a large collection of Brasilian Bossa Nova, Brasilian Samba in various forms, American Contemporary Jazz and many albums where American artists have discovered, merged and recordered Brasilian sounds.



Michael Franks has merged his talent with what I believe is some of the greatest rhythms this world has to offer in this album. Yes, he's done it in other albums, but for me, his rendition of "Samba do Soho", a true contemporary Brasilian Bossa Nova classic, provides a great musical center for this album.



While not all of the cuts are Bossa Nova or Samba, there's enough Bossa Nova and Samba rhythm-percussion to give you what you'd expect when you buy an album that has "RIO" in the title."

The best of Michael Franks in years

Freddy Kasenda | Jakarta, Indonesia | 10/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Michael Franks's best album in years, probably the best since Blue Pasific in 1990. The album opens with Under The Sun, a very nice track which suddenly takes me back to the days of Down in Brazil and Antonio's song. The first two tracks of the album seem to set the mood for the entire album, although some not really so brazillian. One tradition that is still brought along in this album is the musical conversation that relates to Van Gogh, the painter. In the past albums there are Vincent's Ear, On The Inside and In the Yellow House to name some. The tradition continues with "The critics are never kind" which extends the usual conversation between Van Gogh and Gauguin to include Degas. Other great songs in the album like "Scatsville","Chemistry of Love","Songbirds","Samba do Soho","The cool school".

In all, this album might as well be considered one of Michael Franks's peaks in his musical artistry."

Rendezvous and reflections

Steve Bradford | Frederick, Maryland USA | 06/24/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Rendezvous in Rio is a sultry and catchy CD from low-tempo jazz veteran Michael Franks. Keeping with his clever lyric style and smooth, jazzy beats makes `Rendezvous' a great CD for both new and familiar Michael Franks listeners. A perfect Sunday afternoon chill CD.



`Under the Sun' is witty, stylish, and very catchy. Guitarist Chuck Loeb both plays and produced this gem: Clearly, one of the best songs in `Rendezvous'. The title song, `Rendezvous in Rio', plays a familiar Franks' style of smooth jazz with a mild, yet driven Brazilian beat. `The Cool School' is a testament to Franks' early inspirations in Jazz: Even referencing Mose Allison and Chet Baker. `The Chemistry of Love' and `The Question is Why' are two other songs who's beats played on and on in my head long after the CD ended.



The title Rendezvous in Rio is somewhat misleading, however. While there are several songs with clear Brazilian beats, this CD is more a t homage to Michael Franks early influences. Something he takes very seriously and shares with his listeners. Both obvious and sometimes subtle qualities make this a very well produced and crafted CD. Something Michael Franks fans have expected from this mercurial jazz veteran.



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