Irene & Her Latin Jazz Band - Summer Samba

Styles: Latin Jazz, Brazilian Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:24
Size: 106,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:40)  1. Sway
(2:33)  2. The Constant Rain
(3:25)  3. Summer Samba
(3:05)  4. Whatever Lola Wants
(3:34)  5. Waters of March
(2:41)  6. Só Danço Samba
(3:00)  7. Little Boat
(3:45)  8. So Many Stars
(4:02)  9. Samba Saravah
(3:26) 10. Pretty World
(4:09) 11. Besame Mucho
(2:31) 12. One Note Samba
(3:15) 13. My Heart Belongs to Daddy
(4:11) 14. Let's Face the Music and Dance

If your idea of heaven is Brazilian music of he bossa nova vein, you've just passed through Saint Peter's gates with Summer Samba. Sweet-voiced Irene Nachreiner sways through a cornucopia of '60s samba with a slick, light and glossy band. Songs like Jobim's "One Note Samba" and "Waters of March" evoke images of Brazil, with Irene's infectious pop treatment of these tunes from the great South American songbook. Songs that we've grown accustomed to that have even a hint of samba flavor like "Whatever Lola Wants" are treated with a twinkle in the eye with the extra groove kicking in. What catches ones ear with a raised eyebrow are her wonderful Brazilian additions to songs like "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" and "Let's Face the Music and Dance." Just as Count Basie and Benny Goodman could swing anything that would come their way, Irene transforms these Tin Pan Alley tunes into snappy and infectious salsas. Cheerful, bright and optimistic, Irene can't help but cheer you up if you're down in the dumps or feeling the blues. Summer Samba is a great recording to start and if you've ever wondered what drove the music world mad in the '60s besides the Beatles pick up a copy of your own for a taste of summer in the winter. ~ "Summer Samba" review by George Harris /All About Jazz - Los Angeles/San Francisco/Chicago Edition /December 2007/Vol. 5 No. 11... More......http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/irenesings2

Personnel : Irene Nachreiner (vocals), Daniel Groisman (bass), Marco Tulio (guitar), Cristiano Novelli (percussion), Ron Snyder (piano), Scott Martin (saxophone and flute), Rich Wenzel (piano), Brice Martin (flute)

Summer Samba

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Irene Nachreiner & Her Latin Jazz Band - A Song of You

Styles: Latin Jazz, Brazilian Jazz
Label: Self Released
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:16
Size: 112,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:45)  1. Dance With Me
(3:23)  2. The Waiting Song
(3:56)  3. A Song Of You
(3:49)  4. Triste
(3:34)  5. TinTim For TinTim
(3:19)  6. Change The World
(3:22)  7. South Seas Samba
(3:52)  8. S'Wonderful
(3:29)  9. Fragillidad
(3:59) 10. Like A Lover
(3:08) 11. It's Too Darn Hot
(4:00) 12. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
(2:20) 13. Bim Bom
(3:15) 14. La Foule

Irene, a daughter of Russian and Irish immigrants raised in Los Angeles, came to singing Brazilian music through a trip to the South Sea Islands. That's quite a cultural mix-up, so maybe it's not surprising that her vocal approach is so deliberate and matter of fact; she still seems to be a dutiful student of the form, not wanting to make any mistakes. She doesn't, but neither does she swing. In fact, although she makes a point of using the word "jazz" in the name of her backup band, this isn't jazz singing at all, or rather, it is only jazz in the very broad sense that categorizes nearly all non-rock/pop aimed at adults as "jazz." On the other hand, Irene's Latin Jazz Band does earn its name, even if it might be called "Her Bossa Nova Band" more accurately. 

Core members Marco Tulio (acoustic guitar) and Cristiano Novelli (drums/percussion) actually are Brazilian, as is pianist Rique Pantoja, called a "special guest" in the album's press release although he plays on 12 of the 14 tracks, and bassist Daniel Groisman is from Argentina. Together, they play samba and bossa nova arrangements with the appropriate feel, and do some authentic jazz soloing, along with reed player Scott Martin. The selections include covers of Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto, plus some Latinized versions of Gershwin and Porter show tunes and a few adequate originals. Irene makes a pleasant and unassuming frontwoman, able to switch languages easily and keep up with her musicians, even if she never seems to relax with music that should be relaxing. 

This is the second self-released album by an artist likely to be encountered in Los Angeles clubs or at vacation spots, where listeners can pick up her CDs as souvenirs of an enjoyable night out, and for that they should satisfy. This isn't Getz/Gilberto, but it's not bad. ~William Ruhlmann  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-song-of-you-mw0000818844

A Song of You

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