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Quarteto Brasil

Bossa Nova Delicado

Kind of Blue 10016

Led by a seminal figure on the Brazilian music scene, arranger, pianist and composer Cristvao Bastos, and given an affecting emotional cutting edge by the incisive saxophone work of Z Canuto, Quarteto Brasil are subtly driven by the growling yet limber electric (not acoustic, as suggested on the CD label) bass of Boror and the lightly chattering yet propulsive percussion of Maralzinho, which perfectly complements Jurim Moreira's crisp drumming.

The majority of their tunes are written by Bastos, although they also address the jaunty 'Bossa Nova USA' by Dave Brubeck, and they epitomise the great strengths of Brazilian music: an almost insouciant virtuosity; a delicacy of approach that in no way compromises drive, verve and pep; and an ear for a winsome melody, infused with melancholy, but which somehow uplifts.

Bastos himself shines throughout, florid where necessary, yet always elegant and refined; this is another classy production from a label that has hit the ground running, and the name of which is now a guarantee of quality.