Live – Skirball Cultural Center 8/7/03 (Kufala Recordings Kuf 0043, 2003)
Brazil is a gold mine for musical talent. Every year new Brazilian musicians are brought to the attention of the international community. Some of them are here to stay, but others are excessively hyped, overproduced and their names quickly fade away.
Guitarist Vinicius Cantuária is an artist that has been around for a while, but he hasn’t received the attention he deserves. He doesn’t use recording gimmicks. Instead, his main strengths are his guitar technique, his ability as a composer and a great live performance. As many of his country mates, Cantuária combines jazz with Brazilian sounds, including bossa nova and samba, but he goes beyond easy to listen grooves. His guitar sound is similar to that of jazz experimentalists like Bill Frisell (whom he has collaborated with), with a clear Brazilian feel.
This live album, Live is one of the freshest live albums this reviewer has heard in a recent months. Cantuária
presents a set of pieces that range from dreamtime minimalism to guitar-percussion jams, intimate bossa nova and even Brazilian classics like “Carioca.” The album was recorded on an August night in the hills of Los Angeles at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Buy Live
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
