Recent reviews:
On this enticing project, Los Angeles-based vocalist Carol Bach-Y-Rita lends her warm alto to a bonanza of Brazilian-inflected music. An ace band, saxophonist and flutist Robert Kyle, pianist Jamieson Trotter, bassist Trey Henry and drummer Mike Shapiro, backs her. The timeless "You Don't Know What Love Is," poignant as ever as a bossa, offers Kyle's tender remarks after Bach-Y-Rita's telling lyric reading. The leader and Kyle revisit the bop blues, "Don't Get Scared," with King Pleasure's words over a melodic Stan Getz solo. Jobim's gem "Corcovado" is enchanting in Portuguese, with an emotive Kyle on tenor. Gilberto Gil's buoyant "Eu Vim Da Bahia" sports lightly dancing Trotter piano after an alluring vocal. Moacir Santos' "April Child" is another winner in Portuguese.
-- Zan Stewart
This is an intriguing mix of Brazilian and American jazz and pop standards - shifting between English and Portuguese - from Los Angeles-based singer, dancer, actress, voiceover artist Carol Bach-y-Rita. This debut CD has a lot going for it, including its most-musical, sensual and laid-back feel. Her interpretations of Jobim’s “Corcovado” and Johnny Mandel’s ”A Time for Love” are as cool and soothing as a pitcher of caipirinhas on a sweltering summer afternoon. Her backing quartet features bassist Trey Henry, pianist Jamieson Trotter, drummer Mike Shapiro and saxophonist/flutist Robert Kyle. The Bach-y-Rita-Henry duet version of “Don’t Explain” is exquisite. A beautiful version of “Lazy Afternoon” closes the session.
-- Ken Franklin
Carol Bach-y-Rita is a delightful singer with a warm voice who sings in English, Portuguese and Spanish. She has a laidback but expressive style, and the ability to swing at all tempos. She is greatly assisted throughout this highly enjoyable set by tenor-saxophonist and flutist Robert Kyle, who also provided most of the arrangements.
Many of the performances could be considered Brazilian Jazz and give one an idea what it might have sounded like if Irene Krall had recorded with Stan Getz, particularly “A Time For Love.” However other selections fall into different areas altogether. “Don’t Get Scared” is a beboppish vocal-flute duet, a haunting version of Billie Holliday’s “Don’t Explain” is taken as a duet with bassist Trey Henry, and “Lazy Afternoon” is given one of its most rewarding vocal versions. “Cidade Lagoa”, which is reminiscent of “No More Blues” is a second and equally successful voice-flute duet, something that should only be attempted by a singer who is always in-tune, like Carol Bach-y-Rita.
With fine work throughout by Kyle, Henry, pianist Jamieson Trotter and drummer-percussionist Mike Shapiro, What Love Is is one of the best vocal releases of recent times.
- Scott Yanow
First of all, I have to say that Carol Bach-y-Rita is one lucky lady. She has surrounded herself with some terrific musicians and all the artistry manifests itself throught this fine CD. With Robert Kyle –tenor sax & flute, bassist Trey Henry, Drummer Mike Shapiro and pianist Jamieson Trotter on hand, Bach-y-Rita’s voice is shown at its best. Her voice is softer, languid and very effective on a program of tunes done in English and Portuguese. “You Don’t Know What Love Is” swings softly. Kyle adds a lilting flute to “Eu Vim Da Bahia” (I Come From Bahia) sung in Portuguese. Shapiro’s percussion and Trotters careful piano accompaniment make the tune lustrous, gorgeous. Bach-y-Rita’s style is relaxed, her enunciation and phrasing excellent. “A Time For Love,” the great Johnny Mandel classic is given a very reverent yet sexy take. Each instrument is clearly stated for an easy pace. The familiar “Corcovado,” (a Jobim standard) is another fine melding of singer and music.
“Don’t Get Scared” is different, with lyrics by King Pleasure to a Stan Getz solo from 1951. Here it’s done as a duet with Bach-y-Rita and Kyle’s flute. Her voice reminds me a bit of Cheryl Bentyne (of Manhattan Transfer.) They both have a clean, clear delivery. The energy is upped a bit for “Assim Nao Da” (It’s Not Working Like This) a tune by Kleber Jorge. “Don’t Explain” is another spare duet, with voice and Henry’s bass. Wow, this one is good! Billie Holliday’s famous lament, is done quietly, plaintively by Bach-y-Rita with Henry’s bass whispering behind, expressing its own agony. It’s a version that tends to quiet people down, to pay attention. “Amor Ate O Fim” (Love Until The End)is a small romantic gem. Kyle and Bach-y-Rita duet on “Cidade Lagoa” (Lagoon City). His flute is nearly classical in feel as she sings and vocalizes with him. The entire group gathers for the closing tune, “Lazy Afternoon.” Carol Bach-y-Rita should be very pleased with this effort. Her Artistry is showcased very well with these fine, supportive musicians.
- Myrna Daniels, editor LA JAZZ Scene
From the liner notes:
This CD really has been a work of Love. So much love and support in making it happen – great arranging and producing by Robert; wonderful contributions from the “Fish Pie Posse” - Jamieson, Trey, Mike & Robert; masterful recording, mixing and mastering by the best, nicest, guys in the business; beautiful creativity in photos and design!
Much good chocolate was consumed, great meals were shared, laughter and joy permeated every aspect of this project.
For the English speakers, I’ve included a brief description of the songs in Portuguese. For the Portuguese speakers, there is a partial translation of the English lyrics into Portuguese.
1. You Don’t Know What Love Is
Gene De Paul, Don Raye-Universal Music Corp./ASCAP
Voce nao sabe o que e o amor / antes de aprender o que e a tristeza / antes de viver um amor e perde-lo / Voce nao sabe o que e o amor ...
2. Eu Vim Da Bahia (I Come From Bahia)
Gilberto Gil-Preta Music Inc./BMI
This is a beautiful composition by Gilberto Gil, one of two on the CD. The song speaks of Bahia - a wondrous region of Brazil - and of all the things there that sustain you, enliven you, feed you, even if you have no money…
3. A Time For Love
John Mandel, Paul Francis Webster-Warner Bros Inc., Warner Chappell Music Inc./ASCAP
um tempo igual brisa de verao / com beija-flores e borboletas / e doces palavras que rimam com amor / um tempo para amar …
4. APRIL CHILD (Maracatu Nacao Do Amor)
Moacir Santos, Ne Lopes-Northridge Music Co., Universal Music Corp., St Angelo Music, Universal Music Corp./ASCAP
Moacir! I adore this composer. More widely known as April Child, the song in Portuguese (Maracatu, Nation of Love) is a poetic mixture of images paying homage to the African roots of Brazilian culture.
5. Corcovado
Antonio Carlos Jobim-Songs of Universal Inc./ BMI
A little place / a guitar / this love / a song /
To make the one you love happy …
6. Don’t Get Scared *duet, voice & flute
King Pleasure Lyrics to a Stan Getz solo from 1951.
Hendricks Music Inc., Music Sales Corp./ASCAP
I’d known Robert about 8 months, when I suddenly said “I used to sing…… can you try a blues line on flute? Bb?” He did. And this tune came pouring out of my mysterious memory bank… with plenty good advice for both of us!
Quando voce ver perigo na tua frente / menino nao fica com medo…
7. Assim Nao Da (It’s Not Working Like This)
Kleber Jorge-Jesseana music/BMI
Regina Werneck-Huskydog music/ASCAP
Kleber writes such beautiful tunes. We had fun rearranging this one – a cheerful song about a relationship not working out… ah, saudade!
8. Don’t Explain *duet, voice & bass
Arthur Herzog Jr., Billie Holiday-Songs of Universal Inc./BMI
Trey and I did this one together. Other than the key, we had no discussion about it at the studio – no talk of intro, ending, tempo. This was our first take. He’s just marvelous.
fale baixinho agora, nao precisa razao / so diz que vai ficar / sou feliz, voce voltou / nao precisa razao …
9. Amor Ate O Fim (Love Until The End)
Gilberto Gil-Preta Music/BMI
I have always loved the classic Elis rendition. For this recording, I wanted to come up with something different. I asked Mike and Robert to brainstorm on a new approach, and I will always treasure the memory of the two of them at my piano, gleefully concocting dark and moody chords….
Love doesn’t have to end / I know that I want to stay /
I’ll love you until the end / until my life is over …
10. Cidade Lagoa (Lagoon City) *duet, voice & flute
Sebastiao Fonseca, Cicero Nunes /Direto, Direto
We were inspired by a beautiful rendition of this tune by Monica Salmaso with a clarinet quintet. We thought we’d try flute and voice …
The song is a tongue in cheek account of the yearly floods in Rio back in the day, and of an enterprising fellow who builds a canoe to ferry the ladies …
11. Lazy Afternoon
John La Touche, Jerome Moross-Chappell & Co Inc, Warner Chappell Music Inc, Sony-ATV Tunes LLC/ASCAP
What a great tune!
E uma tarde para relaxar / e os besouros estao no ar / e as tulipas estao desabrochando / e nao se ve mais ninguem / so nos dois....
***************************
Carol Bach-y-Rita, vocals
Trey Henry, bass
Robert Kyle, tenor saxophone & flute
Mike Shapiro, drums and percussion
Jamieson Trotter, piano
Produced and arranged by Robert Kyle, “Amor Ate O Fim” arranged by Mike Shapiro & R. Kyle, Don’t Get Scared by C. Bach-y-Rita & R. Kyle, Don’t Explain by C. Bach-y-Rita & Trey Henry
Recorded by Nolan Shaheed at No-Sound studios
Mixing & additional recording by Carlos Y del Rosario at Visual Rhythm
Mastered by Robert Hadley at The Mastering Lab
Design by Marcus Pungetti & Miti Murakami
Photos of Carol by Martin Cohen
Group photo by Robin Gatner Photography
All songs used by permission
Carol Bach-y-Rita endorses vocal booths from VocalBooth.com
Robert Kyle is a Yamaha performing artist. He also endorses Rico "Select Jazz" reeds, Francois Louis mouthpieces, Oleg straps, Bag End Speaker systems & Aphex Mic Preamps.
Mike Shapiro endorses Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and sticks & Remo Drum Heads.
WWW.CarolBach-y-Rita.com
www.myspace.com/carolbachyrita
Read more...