Samba Jazz In Black and White

Drummer Duduka Da Fonseca's goal is to blend samba with jazz, and he succeeds throughout this colorful disc. His music is often gentle like sambas, but it is rhythmically complex in spots and features strong jazz improvising along with a pair of atmospheric vocals. There is more variety than expected and the music, although often soothing, is never overly predictable. The core quintet consists of the leader on drums and percussion, the talented Anat Cohen on reeds, guitarist Guilherme Monteiro, pianist Helio Alves, and bassist Leonardo Cioglia. Singers Maucha Adnet and Alana Da Fonseca are on "Mestre Bimba," with Adnet returning on "Medo de Amar." There are also two guest appearances for guitarist Vic Juris and the reeds of Paulo Levi, with trumpeter Claudio Roditi sitting in on "Bye Bye Brasil." Throughout this well-conceived set, Duduka Da Fonseca keeps the music flowing, swinging, and highly appealing.