Soothing, enchanting, and relaxing ... it's great!
author: Teresa
I bought this CD after hearing a great live performance from the band in Kaslo, British Columbia. Wow, talk about a great assortment of songs!!! I love the singers, and I love the way the CD makes me feel. It hasn't left my CD player!
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Paul Peress, the new master of the groove
author: jeff millar-sax, a new fan
First impressions can sometimes be deceiving, but first listens are never
wrong. When initially discovering this hidden gem of an album I thought:
Latin/Brazilian grooves - could be interesting. But then when I read that
the artist was the drummer I feared that it would be a cacophony of noise
and the music would be lost. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! Paul Peress is not only a
masterful composer and producer, but he is also a GROOVEMASTER in the
highest order.
From the opening notes of "Norwegian Wood" I realized that this was a very
special album. Gabriella Anders' vocals are a 20 on a scale of 10, and Mark
Whitfield always brings something intriguing on guitar (as does Jeff Golub
on his tracks!), but the thing that hooked me from the start was Paul's
disciplined music-making as a drummer.
Throughout the entire disk Paul masterfully drives each tune, tastefully,
thoughtfully and lyrically, without overpowering any of the other musicians.
It's not until tracks 5 "Visions of Brazil" and 7 "Mambo Mio" that he steps
it up a notch to show some of the virtuosity that has made him a regular
show-stopper at many of the Latin Jazz festivals and in demand on the New
York City Jazz circuit.
LISTEN TO THE ALBUM and get transported to a magical, Brazilian sort of
musicians' "Margaritaville" where along with the heavenly bodies, good
libations and perfect weather you are also enveloped by musical virtuosity
at every turn.
Paul's song selection for this disk includes some original compositions
intertwined with some classics. His interpretations are tasteful, grooving,
and especially in the case of "Norwegian Wood" incredibly exciting.
Through some research I learned that this album was in the hunt for several
Grammy Awards this year. Though it didn't make the final cut, it should be
on your CD player's "A List" for many years to come (or at least until Paul
releases his next disk!). Whether at home, driving, at work or a romantic
interlude, this album fits perfectly into any environment...
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Paul Peress takes Brazilian music to a new high.
author: Bill Harrison, The Keep
This is one of the best CDs I've heard in a long time. The selection couldn't be better and the playing is first class. Paul Peress takes Brazilian music to a new high. Yeah, and the music is great for dancing or just listening to while you're summer cruising around the country, or just getting to and from work, or having dinner with a special friend, or throwing a party. Don't miss those terrific drum solos! Man, can that guy play!
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