CD Review: C. Michael Bailey

ALL ABOUT JAZZ

Jim Nolet finds himself in a decidedly Bossa-Nova Mood on this new Cathexis release.

Syzygy, Jim Nolet's previous Cathexis release, was a cyber cross between Nicolo Paganini and John Coltrane (the latter's "Central Park West" and "Countdown" being creatively covered by Nolet and his crack band. It was highly virtuosic and smacked of superb technique and intelligent performance. Part of Syzygy's intelligence was a powerful internal cohesion that revolved around the near avant-guard realm in Jazz. Nolet infuses this same cohesion into his latest release, Arco Vos, this time focusing on a readily appealing Bossa Nova humor.

Arco Voz is a very interesting disc because of Nolet's mixing of viola and voices on nearly all tracks. This wonderful alchemy results in a breathy display of the arc-sensual side of Brazilian music. The effect is aurally one of cultivated sexuality, not that of humid earthiness, but of sweet essence, like fine cologne.

Two standards are included ("You don't Know What Love Is" and "Let's Get Lost"), both really breathing in Nolet's account. The almost melancholy viola is well-chosen over the violin for these pensive exercises.

I would recommend Arco Voz without condition for any fan of Bossa Nova. It is a splendid update of that time-tried genre. Mr. Nolet should find himself on marked on the ballot of many jazz critics this year as the finest jazz violinist playing.

   Jim Nolet
ARCO VOZ featuring Monica Salmaso                                 and  Rodrigo Rodrigues


1) E Preciso Perdoar (Carlos Coqueijo/Alciuando Luz)/Me Deixe Em Paz (Monsueto) 5:18 [MP3 fragment-download, 470KB]
2) Samba Da Pergunta 3:55
3) Algo (Jim Nolet/lyrics: Rodrigo Rodrigues) 6:18 [MP3 fragment-download, 470KB]
4) Modo Paulista (Jim Nolet) 3:07
5) Joana Francesa 5:33
6) You Don't Know What Love Is 5:02 [MP3 fragment-download, 470KB]
7) Esse Seu Olhar 3:07 [MP3 fragment-download, 470KB]
8) Let's Get Lost 4:34
9) Lygia (Antonio Carlos Jobim) 5:03
10) Samba De Orfeu (Luiz Bonfa) 6:31 [MP3 fragment-download, 470KB]

Featuring:
Jim Nolet; Viola
Rodrigo Rodrigues; Vocal, Nylon String Guitar by Francisco Munhoz, Harmonica, Pandeiro, Ganza
Mario Manga; Cello & Guitar
Celio Barros; acoustic upright bass
Adriano Busko; Surdo, Pandeiro, Moringa, Ganza, Repique, Brushes, Snare, Cymbal
Luiz Carlos De Paula; Surdo, Pandeiro, Ganza, Repique, Rebolo, Djembe, Tamborim
Monica Salmaso, Marcia Lopes, Ana Amelia; Vocals

Producers: Rodrigo Rodrigues & Jim Nolet

Recorded at Manga Studios, Sao Paulo, Brasil
Mixing & Mastering by Hugo Dwyer

BUY THE CD                              Jim Nolet's Bio

Rodrigo Rodrigues: Co-Producer, (voz, violão e pandeiro) An exceptional Brazilian vocalist/instrumentalist whom has been likened to Joao Gilberto and Chet Baker and claimed by the S.P. Journal Da Tarde, as "O Brasileiro Toots Thielman (trans: Brazilian Toots Thielman)." A Folha De Sao Paulo said "excepcional vocalista, com voz suave, e agradavel" (trans; exceptional, pleasant, suave and smooth). Rodrigues has performed and/or recorded with acclaimed Brazilan artists such as Hamilton Vaz Pereira, Ivan Lins, Joao Gilberto, José Maurício, Nana Vasconcelos, Machline e na peça 5 and others.

Mario Manga: (cello, violão, guitarra and bandolim) Arranger, instrumentalist, composer and founder of the ensemble Premeditando o Breque. He has arranged and composed for Ivan Lins, Chico César, Inàcio Zatz, Càssia Eller, Rita Ribeiro and other artists.

Luiz Carlos De Paula: (percussionist) Brazilian percussionist born in Sao Paulo, tours extensively in Europe and Africa works also with Jorge Benjor, Toquinho, Tim Maia, Joao Donato, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Ivan Lins, Leila Pinheiro and Wilson Simoninha.
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ARCO VOZ ( The Band)

Jim Nolet: Leader, violin, viola

Monica Salmaso: Edu Lobo claims Salmaso has "the most beautiful voice I've ever heard in recent times". Critic Mauro Dias says she "is one of the outstanding vocalists of the nineties." Her latest CD, "Trampolim" features many of the artists she works with such as Rodolfo Stroeter, Nanà Vasconcelos, Toninho Ferragutti, Paulo Bellinati and Lelo Nazàrio. Her discography includes "Brasil Afro-Sambas" with Paulo Bellinati, Eduardo Gudin and Notices Dum Brasil as well as Lumiar's Tom Jobim Songbook. Monica won the Visa/MasterCard/El Dorado Prize this year, and was nominated for the Prêmio Sharp as "Best New Artist".