Ricardo Dias Gomes: Muito Sol

This record is not a typical jazz record. The first impression it makes is of something fresh and unique. It invites one to listen to combinations of rhythms, textures and sounds and instrumentation not typically used together.

The title track starts the record with a pulsing bass line plus floating synthesizer; the vocal starts softly, like a modern Gilberto Gil, in a language you may or may not understand—but that does not matter, it is the overall feel that is important. Halfway through the drums kick in and some electric guitar which turns very fuzzy and suddenly it is all sounding like a jazz-rock fusion band.

Next up, "Morrerei Por Isso" starts with an acoustic guitar and mellow rhythmic perscussion and again the soft voice. What sounds like a clavinet plays a melody and then a sax joins in. The sax solo melts off into the ether as the track ends.

Every song on this recording is unique and interesting. It is a melding of traditional Brazilian folk and jazz with rock and synth-driven atmospheric music. At one moment it sounds like it is the late 1960s and one is listening to something like "The Girl From Ipanema" and the next moment it becomes Radiohead, in a great way. It is all somewhat reminiscent of a more folk-pop artist, Juana Molina.

Overall the record is dreamy, melodic, rhythmic and atmospheric, with some more intense segments that add depth and texture. An interesting, listenable recording that had one listener going back to it more than once.

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