Tom Cohen: Embraceable Brazil

Philadephia-based drummer and arranger Tom Cohen uses groups of various sizes from trio to octet recorded over a ten-year span to tailor an elegant musical "love letter" to Brazil and its iconic dance music, the bossa nova, on Embraceable Brazil, an album whose charming melodies and vibrant rhythms represent the best that picturesque South American country has to offer.

Of course, Antonio Carlos Jobim is here, as would be true on any survey of Brazilian music, with "Brigas Nunca Mais," "Look to the Sky" and the ageless "Girl from Ipanema," the last sung by Barbara Mendes with support from one of Philadelphia's jazz legends, tenor saxophonist Larry McKenna. Mendes also sings (quite well) on "Brigas Nunca Mais" and the album's swaggering opener, "Eu So Quero um Xodo." Guitarist Filo Machado sings on "Adeus America," percussionist Valtinho Anastacio on "Bebe," the husband-and- wife team of Orlando Haddad and Patricia Haddad King on the persuasive "Aquelas Coisas Todas."

The fast-paced "Bye Bye Brasil" is performed by a trio (Cohen, bassist Itaiguara Brandao, pianist Klaus Mueller), "Adeus America" and Toninho Horta's alluring "Francisca" by quartets. Tenor saxophonist Chris Farr shines on two numbers, as does John Swana (trombone or EVI) on five. Cohen adds an accordion on "Eu So Quero um Xodo," a melodica on Carly Simon's "You're So Vain"—which may seem an odd choice for an album of Brazilian music but harmonizes surprisingly well, thanks to Cohen's clever arrangement.

Fans of Brazil and the bossa nova should find much to admire here, as Cohen and his assorted groups make themselves comfortably at home south of the border. A love letter it is, lovingly written with warmth and kindness.