CD REVIEW: Gustavo Oliveira, "Fusion Brazil"
By David Lockeretz - 09/16/2002 - 02:00 AM EDT
Artist: Gustavo Oliveira Album: "Fusion Brazil" CD Review:
Guitarist Gustavo Oliveira leads a quartet in an energetic and diverse set of exciting instrumental music. His electric modern jazz is a good antidote for an idiom that seems lately to be dominated by the likes of Kenny G and would-be straight ahead players who haven't paid their dues.
A Rio native now living in Los Angeles, Oliveira's influences are quite varied. He is capable of all-out shredding, but also shows depth and sensitivity, particularly on "Ballad for Sue."
Other compositions include the rocking "Pesadelo" (Nightmare), and "BSP Tree", which has a fantastic melodic line. Another number guaranteed to get booty moving is the funky "Blues for Glaucio."
With drummer Joel Taylor, bassist Dave Carpenter and trumpeter Walt Fowler all providing strong performances, "Fusion Brazil" is an album that both showcases tight ensemble chemistry and high individuality. It gives the listener a lot to dig into, whether it's the first or one hundred first time.
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