Ted Falcon and Pablo Fagundes (AKA Ted & Pablo)
Transcontinental Music Express .

Initially getting acquainted with Ted Falcon and the Los Angeles Choro Ensemble a couple years ago while pursuing performing artists for a regional jazz festival, we've had the pleasure of keeping touch with the brilliant young American musician who's as convincing at Brazilian styles as it gets. His solo recording debut, Memorias do Brazil was nothing short of spectacular, and it was apparent then, the promising Californian was on his way to something really big.

Part serendipity part destiny, Falcon would cross paths with another amazing musician in 2006, Brazilian harmonic wizard Pablo Fagundes, whose own personal goals of border-broadening would not only be equally compulsive, but originating from the opposite geographical direction. North meets south and south meets north, while the two happened to be gigging near each other in New York City. Happy coincidence, Pablo's invitation for Ted to visit him in his homeland, the very region the American bandolimist yearned to visit, allowed an immersion and sharing of his own American pedigree (Blues, Jazz, Rock) on Brazilian soil. For six months, he enjoyed the opportunity to completely absorb the country's rich cultural heritage, and hang with musicians in a real life musical "laboratory."

Seeking opportunities to hone his already mature skills in choro, samba, and forró on Brazilian soil, Falcon traded his own background in American music, and the two have been able to produce a fine recording of the melding in "Transcontinental Music Express." Texturally, harmonica perfectly complements the mandolin. The forward motion of breath pushing line and phrase fills and contrasts the balance of percussive pluck and tremolo in soprano/alto register magic. Also wielding violin on some of the tracks, wind and bowed string form yet another magnificent ballet of sonic color. Interestingly, the violin is quite rare in Brazilian popular music.

Combine the wonderfully proficient accompaniment (the duo backed by some excellent supporting musicians) with some great arranging and composition and we experience all the elements necessary for a great CD. From the dynamic opening track "Partiu do Alto" (penned by Pablo) to the "summary" closing group-effort blues, "Quebra-mola Blues" we get a solid compilation of songs. Particularly engaging are Falcon's own songs "Baião Furacão,""Solamente," and "Zitta's Song" demonstrating an amazing ear for memorable melody. His writing is vibrant; these tracks really stood out both in performance and composition.

Not to dismiss the Brazilian classics on the CD, Ernesto Nazareth's timeless "Odeon," Honorio Lopes' "Lingua de Preto," and Luperce Miranda's " Picadinho à Baiana" are nothing short of indigenous treasures, music straight from the heartland and treated with respect. It's terrific to hear these and then hear the same instrumentation stretched to the American songs like David Grisman's "Barkley's Bug." The transition is seamless and convincing.

We'll enjoy hearing more from Ted and Pablo in the future; hopefully together as this partnership has obviously been mutually beneficial.

Selections:

1. Partiu do Alto
2. Baião Furacão
3. Odeon
4. Estamos Aí
5. Solamente
6. Barkley's Bug
7. Três Estrelinhas
8. Língua de Preto
9. Zitta's Song
10. Picadinho à Baiana
11. Quebra-mola Blues

Genre: Brazilian(World)
Released: July, 2007
Colaboration website: Ted and Pablo

CD Purchase information Elderly Music and CD Baby

Artist website: Ted Falcon

Check out other new release artist recordings