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RADIO May 8, 2019

Quantum Trio, Baba Andrew Lamb & More

My music GPS keeps pointing to bassist Carlos Bica for riveting music. His new release I Am the Escaped One finds him heading in a different direction than the usual guitar trio. This time he's working with German saxophonist Daniel Erdmann and turntablist DJ Illvibe. The result is captivating. Bica is now living in Germany but he's originally from Portugal. Another fine bassist from that country but living in Rotterdam—Gonçalo Almeida—figures prominently in two trio releases on the Clean Feed ...

RADIO October 17, 2018

Nicole Mitchell, Brom & Thomas Morelli-Bernard

By Maurice Hogue

This episode features another of those wonderful bassists from Portugal: Carlos Bica. His latest release with his trio, Azul, makes its One Man's Jazz debut and an earlier album with Prima Matéria closes the show with a familiar melody. Nicole Mitchell's latest, Maroon Cloud, the German trio, Brom, and the latest instalment of Satoko Fujii's birthday releases and her new quartet Mahodin are all sampled. And Montréal's trombonist and composer Thomas Morelli-Bernard provides a taste of his very ambitious Cuban ...

ALBUM REVIEWS February 28, 2017

Carlos Bica & Azul featuring Frank Möbus and Jim Black: More Than This

By Henning Bolte

Azul, comprising Portuguese bassist Carlos Bica, guitarist Frank Möbus from Germany and drummer Jim Black from New York, is one of those trios around with a highly notable profile and characteristic signature. No doubt many dedicated music lovers will have their own history with this group that has been active now for more than 20 years. Azul's self-titled debut album dates from 1996 (EmarCy), featuring eminent Portuguese vocalist Maria João, and trombonist Ray Anderson. It was followed by Twist (1999, ...