Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Alexandre Cunha: Batepapo

352

Alexandre Cunha: Batepapo

By

Sign in to view read count
Alexandre Cunha: Batepapo
Brazilian music must be among the happiest in the world, as its rhythms sway in the soft breeze of Rio. Of course, it's more than just bossa nova or party music, and Batepapo is a virtual primer in its many different rhythms and melodic styles. Alexandre Cunha, an endlessly inventive master drummer, drives this music with a light but forceful touch. Even listeners who are not particularly attracted to so-called world music that is based predominantly of rhythmic forms, forgoing melodic and harmonic complexity, will be pleasantly surprised by the sophistication of this recording.

Cunha seems to have a wide circle of musical friends, and many musicians play on the record in different formations, but the standouts are Mareclo Martins (saxophones), Arthur Maia (bass) and Mauricio Piassarollo (keyboards). The record is a real group effort, however, and the camaraderie is immediately apparent from the first note to the last.

"Bachiao" has a wonderful storytelling quality, while "Bate Papo," which starts off with the familiar Brazilian drum patterns of Mardi Gras, changes into a very sophisticated saxophone solo. "Un Baio En Forma De Poema" features guitar and accordion, "Ritmo De Viagem" a gorgeous soprano sax solo. "Estilo Consagrado" is a homage to Milton Banana and Mauricio Einhorn. "Passarinho" features Martins' very smooth saxophone in a very tight quintet, while "Tambores" gives Cunha a chance to play some melodic solo drums. Beneath everything is virtuosic electric bass and percussion, with Cunha always leading the way.

Surprisingly ingratiating, with superior musicianship, Batepapo is an wonderful entrée into the world of Brazilian music.

Track Listing

Bachiao; Bate Papo; Pescador; Ritmo de Viagem; Gosto de Sal; Post-Scriptum; Passarinho; Um Baiao em Forma de Poema; Estilo Consagrado; Tambores.

Personnel

Alexandre Cunha: drums, blocks, percussion; Thomas Kuji: saxophone; Bertl Mayer: gaita; Marcio Tubino: flute; Marcelo Onofri: keyboard; Alegre Correa: violao; Seginho Carvalho: bass; Marcelo Martins: saxophones; Mauricio Piassarollo: keyboards; Airton Moreira: percussion; Sandro Leme: percussion; Riberto Belix: percussion; Ricardo Oliveira: percussion; Guilherme Lima: percussion; Dominguinhos: accordion; Mauricio Odery: violao; Arthur Maia: bass; Christiano Oliveira: bass; Fernando Baeta: violao.

Album information

Title: Batepapo | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.