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Romero Lubambo: Softly

By Jim Santella
November 19, 2006
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A fine jazz guitarist who interprets Brazilian music with a genuine spirit, Romero Lubambo brings this program forward with a lovely melodic air and mellow memories. He's included old favorites as well as bright new ones. Essential to the fabric of his session is the fact that most of these songs have lyrics. While Softly is an instrumental album, you know that he's going through the lyrics in his head. Each selection comes with a lyrical presence that makes all the difference in the world.

With "Comin' Home Baby, the guitarist digs into a groove that won't fade. The expressive nuances of his interpretation carry far and wide. "Time After Time wafts gently on the breeze like a careless thought. Lubambo gives "I Fall in Love Too Easily a gentle reflection that carries emotional textures in its wake. "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning comes with just the right touch of tenderness, while Jobim's upbeat "Happy Madness prances with a lively thrill.

The guitarist's original songs add a warm caress to the program that extends beyond its borders. Several of his compositions are so smooth that they'd calm a raging thunderstorm in a matter of minutes. Softly represents a laid-back interpretation of life in the slow lane.

Throughout the session Lubambo uses multitracking to fill his interpretations with plenty of rhythm and harmony. The real star of the show, however, is the lovely melody that he pulls from his guitar through each of the fourteen songs.

Track Listing

Vitoriosa; Just the Two of Us; Nature

Personnel

Romero Lubambo

guitar

Romero Lubambo: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, fretless guitar, cavaquinho, synthesizer guitar.

Album information

Title: Softly | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: MAXJAZZ

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