Review

Tania Maria: Tempo (naïve jazz)

A brave move for Brazilian jazz star Tania Maria; releasing an album where she sings and plays piano, with just bassist Eddie Gomez for company. A departure from her usual ensemble pieces and big fusion sound of jazz, funk, Afro-Cuban and her native Brazilian music. Focus here is on that sultry voice, her skills on the piano and legendary bassist Eddie’s imaginative brushstrokes. On paper, I wasn’t sure this would work, and if she might be too exposed? But it does. For sure.

It is a lovely, lovely album and there is true chemistry between Tania and Eddie - most famous for his work with Bill Evans and Chick Corea, to name but a few. Tania has a unique vocal styling, and a percussive approach to the keyboard. Her scat singing is to die for – a Latin Ella meets George Benson? She swings like hell here, as well as creating passionate, candlelight moments to snuggle up to, conjuring up white sun soaked beaches.

This CD – her first for Paris label Naïve - has soul, it has spirit, style and class. Maria’s alto is perfectly suited to all of this material – including four of her own compositions – and Eddie’s inventive but understated bass playing, a total fit. Hand and glove time. She brings in her classical training at times, with layers of lush classical runs.

The whole album is exciting, original and so chilled. As though they turned up across the street from the recording studio, chatted at the bar over a cocktail (flaming Sambuca, of course) about what songs they fancied playing, and off they went to do the business. What’s a rehearsal? Overdubs? No post production skulduggery required. Talent, skill, passion and world class entertainment. It’s all here.
Words SIMON REDLEY