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Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto
A DAY IN NEW YORK
(SONY CLASSICAL)

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The husband-and-wife team of Jacques and Paula Morelenbaum are living Brazilian bossa nova royalty these days, and if their collaboration with Japanese composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto ever seemed a reach, all doubts were put to rest by their debut, Casa. Straight off touring in support of that release, they sat down and recorded this one in a single day. In terms of freshness, spirit, depth, and sheer musicality, there’s nothing to fault here. The trio — Ryuichi on piano, Jacques on cello, and Paula singing in a smooth, silky voice — rev Antonio Carlos Jobim’s "Desafinado" up into a sprightly samba, breeze through João Gilberto’s "Bim Bom," and then roll up their sleeves for some serious bossa action. After a meltingly gorgeous read of Jobim’s classic "Insensatez," the trio take on Caetano Veloso’s "Coraçao Vagabundo." The spare arrangements and exquisite execution raise Brazilian lounge fare to the level of chamber music, but never at the expense of spontaneity and feeling.

BY BANNING EYRE

Issue Date: June 27 - July 3, 2003
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