Showing posts with label Vanessa Rodrigues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vanessa Rodrigues. Show all posts

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Ricardo Silveira - Ricardo Silveira Organ Trio (With Vanessa Rodrigues & Rafael Barata)

Size: 138,7 MB
Time: 59:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Brazilian Jazz
Art: Front

CD 1: Stufio Recordings
01. Cochise (4:05)
02. A Historia De Lily Braun (6:49)
03. A Medida Do Meu Coraçao (7:08)
04. Batucada (4:17)
05. Canto De Ossanha (9:12)
06. Memphis Underground (6:57)
07. No Regrets (6:43)
08. Reflexoes (5:57)
09. Amazon River (8:41)

CD 2: Live Recordings
01. Samba E Amor (10:56)
02. Body And Soul (11:18)
03. Polo Pony ( 8:25)
04. Francesa ( 9:11)
05. You Don't Know What Love Is ( 9:03)
06. One-Eyed Monster ( 6:37)
07. Eu E A Brisa ( 8:05)

The career of guitarist Ricardo Silveira is a rock solid one. As an all-round musician he has performed on countless (recording) dates ranging from MPB, Bossa Nova, fusion, jazz, pop, … Ricardo Silveira (Rio de Janeiro, 1956) spent a few years in Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music, where a basis was formed for his future career. In New York he absorbed the jazz scene and certainly didn’t forget the classics: Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Pat Martino, Grant Green and other guitar legends who often found comfort in an organ trio setting. Back in Brazil, Ricardo soon became one of the country’s most wanted guitarists. Most of the time he can be found in the studio or on tour with the finest vocalists in Brazil. But yet, there’s still time for a solo career. Recently we heard him in duet with Vinícius Cantuária (RSVC) and also with guitarist Roberto Taufic (Atlânticos) And now he surprises us with this extraordinary double-album: Organ tRio.

Back to basics: the tradition of the legendary jazz organ trios. A simple line-up: guitar, Hammond B-3 organ and drums. How nostalgic can one get? To add to the nostalgia, the CD package breathes the air of the old jazz labels. In fact: by looking at the old fashioned CD cover, you can already figure what musical sentiment you can expect. The ever attentive package designer Maria Camillo did a respectful job with it!

The first notes of CD 1 confirm it: we’re in for two hours of fine authentic jazz. Ricardo already found a partner in crime with drummer Rafael Barata (Rio de Janeiro, 1980). The drummer seems to be everywhere in the music scene of Brazil. At his young age he performed with a who-is-who in Brazilian music. He was also house drummer in Rio’s premier jazz club, Mistura Fina, where he accompanied a long list of visiting international jazz stars. The third member of the tRio came by surprise. Canadian organist Vanessa Rodrigues introduced herself to Ricardo via email. Because she mentioned that trumpeter Randy Brecker gave her Ricardo’s email address, he got interested and soon discovered the exceptional talent of the organist. She had recently relocated in Rio which made it easy to make Ricardo’s wish come true: an organ trio!

CD 1 was recorded in 2012 in a studio in Niterói, across the bay from Rio. To get in the right mood, the album’s opener is “Cochise,” by Latin music composer Ray Santos (1928, New York). This song ruthlessly brings us back to the atmosphere of the sixties and the seventies when the sound of Hammond B3 organs happily whirred through the air of smoky jazz clubs. Vanessa Rodrigues proves to be the right choice; she’s able to recall the sound of organ traditionalists.

The repertoire covers a wide variety of international styles that were popular in that era; soul jazz, groovy jazz, Bossa Nova, Afro-samba. And most of all some beautiful ballads, like the standards we find on disk 2 (the live recordings). “Body and Soul” (1930, music by Johnny Green) and “You Don’t Know What Love Is” (1941, Gene de Paul and Don Raye) show their immortality in the long renditions by the trio. But there are also many Brazilian compositions that show an unmistakable jazz competence. Along with a few originals by Vanessa and by Ricardo, this set of CDs sounds more than interesting from note one till the very last one. It’s funny to hear to hear Tom Jobim‘s “Polo Pony,” a relatively unknown composition of his. He composed “Polo Pony” in 1970 for the movie “The Adventurers,” but it’s seldom recorded. After the surprising inclusion of the song on Mario Adnet’s Jobim Jazz album (2007, also reviewed here on MúsicaBrasileira) it’s good to hear it here again as a true up-tempo jazz classic.

Ricardo Silveira Organ Trio CD 1
Ricardo Silveira Organ Trio CD 2

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Vanessa Rodrigues - Soul Project / Soul Food For Thought

Album: Soul Project
Size: 175,0 MB
Time: 75:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ, Soul Funk
Art: Front

01. Marble Rye ( 7:43)
02. Runnin' & Rippin' & Runnin' ( 6:38)
03. One-Eyed Monster ( 5:43)
04. The Red Dirt Jam ( 7:39)
05. Be Careful What You Wish For (10:33)
06. Bemsha Swing ( 6:39)
07. Killa-Jewel In Da House ( 6:59)
08. Bou-Ya ( 7:36)
09. Supabad Stanley ( 8:07)
10. Sconk ( 7:41)

The band:
Vanessa Rodrigues - Hammond B-3 organ
Donna Grantis - guitar
Jean-Pierre Levesque - drums

Special guest - DJ Killa-Jewel - turntables

One of the most pleasant surprises of the '04 Ottawa International Jazz Festival was organist Vanessa Rodrigues, who appeared as part of saxophonist Dave Turner's quartet. At a mere 26 years of age, she delivered accompaniment so empathic and solos so well constructed that the only disappointment was that her work had never been documented on record. Until now. With Soul Project Rodrigues steps out with infectious grooves and outstanding playing, paying homage to the established organ trio tradition while remaining completely modern.
While Rodrigues has a strong background in everything from classical piano to more spiritual works on church pipe organ, it's clearly the soul-drenched music of artists like Dr. Lonnie Smith, with whom Rodrigues spent a month as a live-in student, that is her main passion. On Soul Project Rodrigues is teamed with guitarist Donna Grantis, a player with a warm, Grant Green-esque tone and similarly blues-informed approach; and drummer Jean-Pierre Levesque, who is as comfortable with the New Orleans second line approach of “Marble Rye” as he is the deeper funk of “The Red Dirt Jam.” Turntablist DJ Killa-Jewel is featured on four of tracks, adding a taste of hip hop to the mix.
The album's vibe bears some precedence in guitarist John Scofield's collaboration with Medeski, Martin and Wood, A Go Go, in terms of its in-the-pocket approach, but it avoids the more idiosyncratic playing typical of Scofield and Medeski. That's not to say Rodrigues and her trio are without energy and edge. Rodrigues is a more inside player, but with a keen sense of development—check out her playing on “The Red Dirt Jam,” where she fashions a solo that builds in intensity so gradually one is almost unaware that it's happening. Similarly, on “Be Careful What You Wish For,” Levesque takes DJ Killa-Jewel's solo and invisibly pulls up the dynamics. As much as everyone's playing reflects an intellectual bent, the inherent physicality of the group gives it much of its appeal.
While the programme consists mainly of originals penned by Rodrigues and Grantis, the trio's take on Thelonious Monk's classic “Bemsha Swing” is notable for demonstrating just how one can take liberties without losing sight of a tune's essence. Building the music over a quasi-reggae feel, Rodrigues stretches and twists the recognizable theme so that it lives in a completely new context. Grantis' solo is so relaxed it sneaks up on you.
As democratic as things are, this is really Rodrigues' showcase. While her training, including attendance at the Banff Centre for the Arts and a degree in jazz piano from McGill University, gives her formidable technical ability, she never sacrifices feel for more cerebral concerns. Soul Project, as well-executed as it is, is an audacious début all about heart and soul from an artist who will no doubt continue to be heard from in the future. - John Kelman

Soul Project

Album: Soul Food For Thought
Size: 110,7 MB
Time: 47:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ, Soul Funk
Art: Front

01. Funky Pickle (5:00)
02. Chompy (5:29)
03. What's In This (5:03)
04. Ode To Monsanto (7:13)
05. Watermelon Man (6:31)
06. Planted (6:55)
07. Eater's Manifesto (6:33)
08. Funky Pickle (Alternate Take) (4:43)

Vanessa Rodrigues is a prolific local musician whose latest project blends a healthy combination of funk, groove and jazz with food activism. It's called Soul Food For Thought and the self-proclaimed Hammond Diva – she rocks the Hammond B3 organ like nobody's business - brings mindfulness to her complex and innovative tunes.

As with all good musicians, Rodrigues continues to push herself to new musical boundaries. Her collaborators are just as committed to complex music and food activism as she is, but that came more from synchronicity than careful planning. Soul Food For Thought brings together Rodrigues with DJ Killa Jewel and drummer Jean-Pierre Lévesque, long-time collaborators, and newcomers, MC BluRum13 and guitarist Olivier René-de-Cotret. This powerful group not only makes music that makes your hips swing all on their own, but digs under the surface of the food industry.

The album can't easily be classified, since songs slip easily between genres like fresh, organic fish, now jazz, now funk, and even the occasional hip hop groove. Speaking of fish, one very addictive song on the new album, Chompy, is named for the infamous two-jawed fish pulled from Lake Athabasca near the Alberta tar sands. It's a low groove that makes good use of the history of organ music in dark films and though the river described isn't quite a black lagoon, you'll taste traces of it in the rich sound.

The organ also has a history of powerful celebration, particularly in churches and this comes through in Eater's Manifesto, the most evangelical song on the whole album. Without using words, it insists on dancing, joining in and taking a different look on what's on the plate in front of us, and how it got there. Like all good gospel grooves, it carries you along with it, enticing you to agree instead of forcing an idea down your throat.

Any jazz lover knows of the fierce and sometimes destructive competition between singers and musicians. On this project though, you'll only hear creative and thought-provoking riffs from an up and coming rapper surrounded by satisfying grooves. Vanessa has a long history as an impressive band leader, so rather than fight for space, she makes room for all collaborators to add their special blend of spices and they always solo with the understanding that it's ultimately her recipe.

MC BluRum13 raps on two tracks, What's In This, a song asking a fairly reasonable question of our boxed food culture; and Planted, a fascinating story told from the perspective of a plant itself. If you're into Michael Pollan, you'll find these two songs edgy, topical and much less preachy than other activist music out there.

You don't have to love Herbie Hancock to love Watermelon Man and this version will have you craving fresh grooves for weeks to come. Ode to Monsanto blows kisses at one of the giants in the industry and winks at their, shall we say, insouciant attitude towards organic, local foods. Pick up a copy of this eclectic and altogether mouth-watering menu that is sure to tickle your musical palette.

Soul Food For Thought

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Gale & Rodrigues Group - Live At The Rex

Size: 109,6 MB
Time: 67:43
File: MP3 @ VBR ~226K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Full House (10:09)
02. Statement (11:54)
03. One-Eyed Monster ( 8:55)
04. I-90 ( 8:09)
05. You Don't Know What Love Is (11:46)
06. Laurier Luxury Walk ( 7:38)
07. Bye Bye Blackbird (In 7 For Chris Driscoll) ( 9:09)

Chris and Vanessa met at a very intense jazz workshop in the Canadian Rockies, where they decided after hiking to the summit of Sulpher Mountain that they were a musical match made in heaven. (well, more like after their set in the dark cabaret in the bowels of the Theater Complex, but a mountaintop does seem more majestic and mighty, doesn't it?).

Fast forward a few months to the Rex in Toronto, where Chris invited his good friend and marvelous drummer Davide DiRenzo to join them for a trio gig. They FREAKED out ... they couldn't believe the chemistry, the magic! It was like that love-at-first-sight feeling when your stomach flies up into your throat! They thought "We've gotta get this band recorded NOW! Yesterday is too late already!"

All they needed now was a guitar, and they'd be cruisin' down the road to 1960's-style organ jazz uphoria! Vanessa brought Mike Rud into the mix ... he's one of Canada's best-kept secrets, and he's BURNING!

So, on March 15 & 16, 2006, they returned to the Rex to put on a show, and they captured it on record for your listening and grooving pleasure!

Enjoy! They sure did!!!

Chris Gale - saxophone
Vanessa Rodrigues - Hammond organ
Mike Rud - guitar
Davide DiRenzo - drums

Live At The Rex