Richard Sorce: Bossambal Brazil

Long-time proponent of the Brazilian style of music, pianist Richard Sorce presents his fourth album as leader with the light and graceful Bossambal Brazil, offering 14 fresh original compositions showcasing bossa novas, sambas and soft ballads, all designed to remind us that there is a gentle side of jazz which appeals to those who know how to appreciate the art.

As on all his previous recordings, Sorce reassembles the same combination of instruments—piano or electric piano, bass, drums as well as percussion, guitar, saxophone, trumpet and trombone—to capture his unique sound. Several tracks feature background vocals in Portuguese or vocalise. Those joining the leader on this project include drummer Don Guinta, bassist Sue Williams, guitarist Rob Reich and, saxophonist & flautist Mark Friedman among others.

Opening up in stylish fashion, the session takes off on the wings of "Sooner Than Now," boasting a splendid melody, a charmer for sure. The band glides through several tender moments on "The Sweetest Dream," "How This Night Disappeared" and the perky "Our Little Secret."

After the buoyant "Welcome Spring," Sorce introduces the tribute piece "Ballad for Claudio," penned for the late trumpeter Claudio Roditi, a warm ballad featuring Vinnie Cutro on a superb flugelhorn solo and a definite keeper of a tune on this set. The homage track is followed by two additional keepers in "Sunrise Samba" and "Our "Make-Believe."

With fourteen tunes to sample, there are plenty pleasing points here to enjoy, including such pieces as "She's Always Beautiful to Me," "Did I Tell You?" "For More than this Moment' and more. The bossa nova and samba are in capable hands on Richard Sorce's Bossambal Brazil, a collection of heart-warming breezy Brazilian ballads perfect for that tender side in all of us.