New from perennial favorite, Brazilian virtuoso bandolimist and composer, Hamilton de Holanda, a collaboration with pianist André Mehmari from Adventure Music, Contínua Amizade (Continuous Friendship). Though the two have played together a brief few years, their music intertwines and behaves as if they have grown up since children. They talk musically like an old married couple, finishing each others sentences and phrases.

The repertoire is an astounding collection of traditional favorites (Pixinguinha, Cavaquinho) and some artist originals, played flawlessly with deeply resounding emotion. Though this isn't the intense fusion rhythm section ensemble we've come to expect out of Hamilton, the two instruments project a flurry of notes, powerful energy contrasted by moments of subtle introspection. The unique intimate piano/mandolin duo setting affords them this vibrant, compelling dichotomy.

It's also not as "jazzy" as his previous endeavors, rather a richly classical approach, distinctly Brazilian with its inherent lush harmonic vocabulary and complex native rhythms. The performance is predictably masterful, executed in world-class precision and a calculating competence that never betrays its soul.

Selections:
1.) Rose (Rosa)
2.) News (Notíca)
3.) The Continuous Friendship Choro (Choro da Contínua Amizade)
4.) It Happens (Acontece)
5.) Underage (Di Menor)
6.) Black Choro (Choro Negro)
7.) The Dream (O Sohno)
8.) With Serjao (Enchendo O Latoão)
9.) Live Between Waltz (Vivo Entre Valsas)
10.) Streetwise Baiao (Baião Malandro)
11.) Love Theme - Cinema Paradiso

Bonus Tracks
12.) Black Choro
13.) News
14.) The Continuous Friendship Choro

Purchase: Continua Amizade

Posted by Ted at June 5, 2008 8:08 AM