Brazilian born Maurício De Souza is a jazz drummer who enjoys performing both traditional and Latin style jazz. After settling in the New Jersey area in 2004 he has remained a constant fixture on the jazz scene in and around the New York / New Jersey area. His latest release Here. There… is an eclectic sounding meeting of two of his groups, The Maurício De Souza Group, which usually sticks to the jazz standards, and Bossa Brazil which covers the more exotic rhythms of Brazilian music.
Armed with a great supporting cast of musicians, the most notable being guitarist Mike Stern, the material here, save for one original composition which is the title track, features De Souza's arrangements of songs written by Tom Jobim, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Cedar Walton and Milton Nascimento to name just a few. Together with bassist Morrie Louden the rhythm section has more swing than Derek Jeter as Maurício's colorful accents perfectly underscore Carl Viggiani's speedy and free flowing piano solos on "Casa Forte" and "Consolacao". In my opinion why the music on this disc works so well is because it strikes a perfect balance somewhere between restrained and cut it loose. You have light and wistfully textured ballads "I Can't Get Started" and "Here. There…" sitting right alongside the exotic and muscular grooves of "Chovendo na Roseira" and "Vera Cruz". The latter track features the first appearance of Stern who turns in some of his trademark fluid runs, and he offers up more of the same on a blazing run through of Henderson's "Inner Urge". Through it all De Souza is the anchor and the glue holding it all together and save for a few places here and there, where he steps up to the forefront and breaks into a short solo, his playing for the most part is as refined as it is understated. For De Souza you get the distinct impression that his goal here definitely isn't to demonstrate a lot of flash, but to serve the song and the arrangement.
Here. There… gives the listener a great indication of just how effortlessly Maurício De Souza is able to navigate seamlessly through these two styles of jazz. Basically if you appreciate the traditional jazz format but also like to have a bit of spice on the side, then you'll definitely want to check this one out.
Track Listing
1) Bebe
2) Chovendo na Roseira
3) Vera Cruz
4) Imagem
5) Casa Forte
6) Consolacao
7) Here. There…
8) Inner Urge
9) I Can't Get Started
10) Windows
11) Firm Roots
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
