A collaboration between
Luciana Souza
and
Trio Corrente
, 2023's
Cometa
finds the acclaimed vocalist and Sao Paulo-based ensemble coming together in a vibrant celebration of the Brazilian musical traditions. A Grammy winner for her contribution to
Herbie Hancock
's
River: The Joni Letters
,
Souza
has long been recognized for her deep grasp of Brazilian bossa nova, as well as jazz and classical idioms. Similarly,
members drummer
Edu Ribeiro
, pianist
Fabio Torres
, and bassist
Paulo Paulelli
emerged as leading ambassadors for their home country after taking home the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album with 2013's
Song for Maura
with
Paquito D'Rivera
. Together, they play with a warm and laid-back camaraderie, offering heartfelt renditions of songs by legendary Brazilian composers, as well as their own inspired originals. They kick things off with a spritely take on
Dorival Caymmi
's ode to his native Bahia region, "Voce Ja Foi a Bahia." Later, they also draw upon
Caymmi
's samba work with a rhythmically infectious version of "Requebre Que Eu Dou Um Doce." Equally dance-invoking performances follow, including renditions of
Djavan
's "Ventos do Norte" and
Paulinho da Viola
's "Rumo dos Ventos." There are also more languid, romantic moments, as with bassist
Paulelli
's yearning "Baiao Joy" and their dusky reading of the
Tom Jobim
Vinicius de Moraes
standard "Sem Voce." ~ Matt Collar