Aos seus amigos Tom e Villa-Lobos
Peppino | 02/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Typical of Minas Gerais state (...Nelsinho é um daqueles tipicos mineiros, hehe!)the relaxed style of Nelson Ângelo , one of the founding brothers in the famous Clube da Esquina (The corner club) , of which Milton Nascimento is the most famous "member" , Nelsonangelinho's musical accomplishments have slowly progressed also over the years with the same easy pace.
Always a provocative composer, he has improved his technical ability as a jazz -oriented improvisor , and his approach to harmony and composition now demonstrate , (on this recording in fact more than ever) , his respect and influence directly from the master, Antônio Carlos (Tom) Jobim, and indirectly from the great Brasilian classical composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, and also mestre Radamés Gnatalli.
The idea origins for this recording were from late 70s, in collaboration with the mineiro poeta Cacaso, a great friend and inspiration for Nelsinho.
This recording feels just as the compositions from, IMO, one of the finest periods of Tom Jobim's career, when Tom composed and recorded his classic LPs "Urubú" and "Matita Perê".
Lush arrangements of colorful harmonic complexity in brass and strings, courtesy Rogério Duprat ,(Brasilian legend)along with the base arrangements , counting on Nelson Ângelo's fragile but emotive voice (just as Jobim's voice was..) mixing bossa with jaz, and the occasional toada ( de "Dinhêru", a fun composition with much humor), this recording could make a lovely soundtrack!
As always, there is good humor in the Brasilian tradition, and I thought it clever to place two compositions together, the title track ,which means " Mineiro's sea "(Minas is land -locked, so the poesia..) followed by "Marinheiro Sem Mar" (Sailor without the sea, more poetry!), which BOTH are among the recordings most beautiful , and Jobinian compositions. Not much on improvisations, although, aside from Nelsinho's guitarra, saxofone from Mário Seve(of Nó Em Pinga D'Âgua and Sardinha's Club)and Rodrigo Lessa, also from "Nó.." on bandolim help spice the stew.
A worthy addition to an eclectic musics collection, as I see it!
Viva Nelson Ângelo!
"