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Lani Hall
The album was co-produced by Hall and her husband, the famous, the one and only, Herb Alpert. Eddie del Barrio helped out with the arranging and most of the beautiful piano tracks on the album. Taking her musical roots as her cue, Lani mixes the intoxicating Brazilian rhythms and instruments with the dynamic finess of contemporary jazz . Her elegant style and always upbeat musical perspective take an acoustic turn with her new album, But forget the purist accents; they've been replaced with a true mix for the 90s, more in keeping with the totally modern beats and styles of Brazil. Brasil Nativo is the latest in a string of recordings that have helped Lani Hall to expand her talents beyond the usual description of a Brazilian singer. Yes, she can conjure up those instant images of magical Brazil, but just as easily pull out the cultural stops and launch full speed ahead into her Afro-Brazilian roots with results that are breathtaking. And some of the best moments on Brasil Nativo are reserved for Lani's quiet side. "Smile" is a peacefully acoustic jazz samba. This is destined to be a classic right up there with the best works by Jobim, Tania Maria, Flora Purim, and Joaø Gilberto. Highly recommended
Review by Ben Kettlewell information: |
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Lani
Hall has been passionate about Brazillian jazz since the
late sixties when she was lead singer with Sergio Mendes
& Brazil 66, and after years of subsequent success as a
solo artist culmintating in a Grammy for Best Latin
Performance in 1986, she took a break from music. Now that
Lani is refocused on her musical career, she's exploring
these passions on her Windham Hill Jazz debut, Brasil
Nativo', which features new and exciting arrangements of
classic and lesser known Brazilian compositions, some in
English, and some in the more romantic native
Portuguese.