Encontros by Nilson Matta & Hendrik Meurkens

AllMusic Review by Judith Schlesinger

This delightful CD is the long-postponed project of two popular interpreters and composers of Brazilian music: bassist Nilson Matta and Hendrik Meurkens on vibes, marimba, and chromatic harmonica, making wistful, soulful sounds that blend naturally into this harmonic landscape. The other players include the splendid Italian jazz pianist Dado Moroni on two tracks and four superb Brazilian musicians based in New York: guitarist Romero Lubambo, drummer Duduka Da Fonsesca, vocalist Maucha Adnet, and pianist Helio Alves, known for his clean, swinging lines. Two Jobim standards are nicely done: the languid "Amor em Paz," with lovely soloing by Lubambo, and the triumphant "Chega de Saudade" (aka "No More Blues"), where the mix doesn't capture Adnet's satiny, live voice, but can't hide her impeccable time. The closer is a free-form romp on Hermeto Pascoal's "O Ovo," where Da Fonsesca finally gets to stretch out and shine. The rest are tuneful originals by the co-leaders, such as Meurkens' evocative travel pieces -- "Summer in San Francisco" and "Prague in March" -- and Matta's beautiful bossa tributes to his mother, "Rosa," and wife, "This Is for Luisa." There's also Meurkens' jolly, jazzy version of the traditional chorinho and Matta's churning salute to Baden Powell, which highlights his strong, warm bass work and contains a surprise: a Bach prelude that swings hard. Fine work all around and an excellent, varied sampler of Brazilian jazz.

Tracklist

1.	A Summer In San Francisco	4:42

2.	Baden	7:09

3.	Amor Em Paz	4:23

4.	Chorinho No. 2	2:27

5.	Rosa	5:54

6.	Junity	4:58

7.	Chega De Saudade	5:03

8.	Prague In March	6:08

9.	Forests	4:22

10.	This Is For Luisa	4:30

11.	O Ovo	6:59

Credits

released July 11, 2000

1. A Summer In San Francisco (Hendrik Meurkens)

2. Baden (Nilson Matta)

3. Amor Em Paz (Once I Loved) (Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes)

4. Chorinho No.2 (Hendrik Meurkens)

5. Rosa (Nilson Matta)

6. Junity (Hendrik Meurkens)

7. Chega De Saudade (Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes)

8. Prague In March (Hendrik Meurkens)

9. Forests (Nilson Matta)

10. This Is For Luisa (Nilson Matta)

11. O Ovo (Hermeto Pascoal)

Total Playing Time 56:30

Hendrik Meurkens – harmonica, vibes, marimba
Nilson Matta – bass
Helio Alves – piano
Duduka da Fonseca – drums
Maucha Adnet – vocal (tracks 3 & 7)
Romero Lubambo – guitar, cavaquinho
Dado Moroni – piano (tracks 6 & 8)
Café – percussion

Arrangements by Nilson Matta: tracks 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
Hendrik Meurkens: tracks 1, 4, 6, 8

Recorded by Tim Conklin at Sorcerer Studios, New York, NY
Mixed & Mastered by Lou Holtzman at East Side Sound, New York, NY

Produced by Nilson Matta & Hendrik Meurkens

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