 Amazon River | | Personnel: Hendrik Meurkens, harmonica and vibes, Helio Alves, piano, Nilson Matta, bass, Duduka Da Fonsesca, Drums & percussion, Pedro Ramos, cavaquinho, Robson Cerqueira,bandolim on Medina na Janela, Guilherme Monteiro, guitar on Medina na Janela, Ze’ Mauricio, percussion, Jorge Amorim, percussion, Cassio Duarte, percussion. Dori Caymmi, guitar and vocal on Amazon River.O Cantador.Paquito D’Rivera, clarinet on Lingua de Mosquito, The Peach. | | Tracks: Mountain Drive, Amazon River, Menina na Janela (The Girl In The Window), Passarim (A.C.Jobim/ 5. Ela é Carioca, Lingua de Mosquito (Mosquito Tongue), O Cantador, Meu Canário Vizinho Azul, The Peach,Sem Você, Piano na Mangueira | |
Hendrik Meurkens has contributed one of his finest efforts to date, Amazon River, a new release on Blue Toucan Records. This album is full of one beautiful melody after the other. The creative improvisation is wonderful. Meurkens has always had a great affinity for the music of Brazil. He knows how it should be showcased, produced and blended with the jazz idiom. I’ve known Hendrik for many years, and he has recorded some Brazilian music off and on. (Check his Concord Recordings) But this disc is different, this is a true concept recording, where Meurkens focuses on all aspects of the Brazilian sound. He is supported by both a small group and string section.. The string writing is geourgous, the small group playing is tight. I’m no expert of all the Brazilian jazz recordings in the last couple of decades, but this has to be one of the best in this genre recorded in this or any other era! One of the many reasons this disc was bound to be successful was Meurkens choice of musicians to accompany him on this recording. Helio Alves is one of the very best interpreters and performers of Brazilian-jazz in all of the world. His interpretations on this disc are masterful to say the least. The same could be said of Nilson Matta on bass and Duduka Da Fonsesca on drums. It is simply a world-class rhythm section. The feel they provide is outstanding! It is a joy to listen to beyond belief!! I love the love the contributions of Dori Caymmi, guitar and vocal on Amazon River and O Cantador. Paquito D’Rivera, joins the session on clarinet on Lingua de Mosquito. Paquito captures the moment and plays so stylistically and authentically! Check out Hendrik’s playing on vibes on Ela Carioca, extremely tasteful and the exact right timbre! His harmonica is perfect blend for this music I might add. He’s compared so often to Toots, and rightfully so, who else plays with this competency? But he is not Toots, he’s Hendrik Meurkens, he has his own sound and harmonic concept. If you have not heard him, this CD will be an amazing introduction for you. The fact is, this is one of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard, jazz or otherwise. It’s a must buy and highly recommended. If you have not of heard of Hendril Meurkens, this Cd will be a formidable introduction. After you listen to this, check out some of his other work with Concord Records, Mundell Lowe and Claudio Roditi. You will not be sorry, This guy is the real deal. He understands beauty and presents beauty through his compositions, improvisation, harmonica and vibes! For more info, visit: HendrikMeurkens.com |
