Jamile & Vinicius Gomes, feat. Joe Martin: Boundless Species

Vocalist Jamile and guitarist Vinicius Gomes bring their common backgrounds in Brazilian music to bear on a wide-ranging collection of songs here. It is expected that the two, assisted by bassist Joe Martin, would create an intimate atmosphere in their performances of songs by Ivan Lins and Milton Nascimento. The surprise is that they do the same thing to songs by American artists such as Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder and Wayne Shorter.

Jamile's voice is a powerful complement to Gomes' busy guitar. When she is not singing lyrics, her scatting follows the rhythm of his playing closely, emphasizing her chatter with sudden Flora Purim-like high notes. Lovely renditions of Brazilian songs like "Mar de Maracanã" and "Essa Maré" sit alongside treatments of Hancock's "I Thought It Was You" and Wonder's "Where Were You When I Needed You" that emphasize the clarity and emotional power of Jamile's voice against Gomes' tight, percussive chords. On  Hancock's "Actual Proof" they alternate between fast, unison runs and swinging bossa nova rhythms. 

The two Shorter songs on the album have appropriately otherworldly treatments. On "Someplace Called Where," Gomes sets up a dreamy, ambiguous tangle that Jamile infuses with a thick layer of rising passion.  On "Endangered Species," bright, twisty guitar lines are wedded to passionate singing of ecologically-minded lyrics. Jamile's clear voice fits snugly over Gomes' gritty rhythms.  

The bond between these musicians is remarkable. Jamile and Gomes make expert foils for each other, whether running together closely or bouncing off each other with minimal contact. Their eclectic program is a lively delight.