Search - Peter Epstein, João Paulo, Ricardo Dias :: Nascer

One of the Most Beautiful Instrumental Records Ever Made

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 04/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is sheer magic. The trio of Peter Epstein (alto and soprano saxes), Joao Paulo (piano), and Ricardo Dias (accordions) has taken Portuguese and Sephardic folk melodies and transmuted them into some kind of ur-music.The first cut, Bilrou, sounds distinctly Celtic. A mournful ballad, it brings tears to my eyes every time I play it. The underlying melody seems instantly familiar, resonating with the deepest parts of one's sensibility. They've given it a very delicate reading, with lots of space and striking harmonies. The next cut, Sar Hamemune, a Yemenite Sephardic tune, is mesmeric, with its repeated piano figure and dancing harmonies. Deolinda, which comes next, features some wonderful piano improv and accordion interplay plus a tasty piano/sax duo ending in the trio restating the melody. Dias mainly plays, I think, a bandoneon or a sanfona, very poignant-sounding instruments. Most numbers move at quite a leisurely pace giving the music a certain gravitas and depth of feeling. You can tell great care has gone into this music, but it still manages to sound completely spontaneous. Another high point is the Sephardic tune Durme, at 8:44 the longest cut on the record, showcasing the extreme delicacy of the ensemble interplay.As with all MA discs, special care has been given to the recording dynamics, such as hand-made microphones and cables. This particular album was recorded in St. George British Anglican Church in Lisboa, Portugal, and the vibrancy of the sound is simply ravishing. The closest thing to this music are some of the more memorable cuts on those two wonderful ECM discs by Jan Garbarek, Egberto Gismonti, and Charlie Haden, Magico and Folk Songs, made in the early eighties. But really, this music is almost sui generis. Highest recommendation."

Exotic & magical

David J. Ohanlon | Lilyfield, NSW Australia | 01/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is "world jazz" of the highest order played by a unique jazz trio featuring piano (Joao Paulo), alto/soprano sax (Peter Epstein) & accordions (Ricardo Dias) with absolutely no bass & no percussion.

The music is based on traditional Portuguese & occasionally Sephardic Folk tunes & was digitally recorded in the beautiful St George's Anglican Church in Lisbon (yes, I have been there!) in October 2000. One can imagine that these tunes were originally played on just an accordion or maybe pan-pipe/flute &, with no disrespect intended, one must also applaud the decision to embellish them with piano & saxophone as altogether these instruments provide the tunes with a sometimes achingly beautiful richness & poignancy, never moreso than on the stunning opener "Bilrou" which is virtually worth the price of this disc alone.

But, wait, many more treasures abound herein as well with Bilrou being followed by the dancing "Sar Hamemune", featuring a delightful piano solo intro & break about 3mins in, "Deolinda" with gorgeous lower-register piano, "Olha o Velho" which showcases Epstein as the lead melodic voice (often doubled with the accordion), "Malhao" with brilliant changes of mood & dynamic from the accordion and five other stunning pieces.

I really cannot recommend this disc enough - take it home, open a decent bottle of red, put it in your player, settle back in your favourite armchair & be completely entranced.

This disc may have just catapulted itself to the Top 3 "world jazz" purchases I have ever made (alonside Egberto Gismonti's "Magico" & Anouar Brahem's "Le Voyage du Sahar"!) & I would give it six stars if I could. Enjoy!"