Search - Paul Peress :: Awakening

Awakening is a terrific mix of Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and Latin Jazz influenced songs and instrumentals. Half originals, and half inventive remakes, the CD begins with an amazing upbeat version of the Beatles song, Norwegian Wood. Gabriela Anders - along with some stellar guitar work by Mark Whitfield, and a great piano solo by Hector Martignon - takes the tune to a whole new place, with a sultry and silky smooth interpretation of the Beatles masterpiece. Her vamp at the end is truly brilliant and awe inspiring - this girl can sing. The second song, Cinderella, features a monstrous horn section led by legendary Sting trombonist, Clark Gayton, as well as James Zollar of the Ellington Band, and Denny Morouse, the former Stevie Wonder sax man. A great vocal track by percussionist Rolando Morales Matos adds a festive element to the track. Emedin Rivera's conga keeps it all together. Check out Mark Soskin's montuno leading into some Mark Whitfield guitar magic at the end - powerful. New Morning Mambo, written by Hector Martignon, is the most driving song on the CD. Jeff Golub, former Rod Stewart guitarist of 8 years, takes off on a slamming display of untouchable playing. Then, Aaron Heick adds some sweet, sexy alto sax to the mix and masterfully brings the tune home. Paul is tearing it up on the drums, with a very funky, syncopated groove - ala Clyde Stubblefield. Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar is a Brazilian classic by the great composer Tom Jobim, and features Mark Lambert singing a captivating interpretation of the love song. His nylon-string guitar playing is superb, as is Werner "Vana" Gierig's piano solo. Visions of Brazil is simply a magical song and a magical performance. Gabriela Anders singing blends in perfectly, and her vamp is mesmerizing. Check out Paul's drumming after the last chorus. A rare performance. Till the Cops Come Knockin' shows some more of Jeff Golub's and Vana Gierig's mastery. The two weave back and forth with a guitar and piano dance that leads into a long - but not long enough - guitar solo to end the song. If you are a Jeff Golub fan, this one's a must have. Mambo Mio is written and performed by virtuoso pianist, Mark Soskin, and flirts back and forth between a mean songo groove by Paul and a lilting samba rhythm, with Gabriela scatting over the melody. The piece seems to end, only to break into a powerful montuno with an equally powerful and tasteful drum solo by Paul. Nice. Butterfly is a groove version of the Herbie Hancock standard. Great piano work by Hector, as well as a driving conga solo by Wilson "Chembo" Corniel. A bass solo over the form by the great James Genus is featured here, as well as some nice drumming. Little Sunflower features a West African 12/8 groove on the verses, leading into a driving songo for the chorus. Denny Morouse has a masterful tenor sax solo over the tune, often in unison with Soskin's inventive piano phrases. Enchantment is a sensual outro featuring a soothing conga backbeat by the Brazilian master, Caf?.