Oscar Castro-Neves All One CD

Oscar Castro-Neves has been one of the most important Brazilian musicians on the jazz scene for some time. His skills as a guitarist, vocalist, composer, and arranger are all on display in this release. Starting with a swinging instrumental setting of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Double Rainbow," which incorporates Charlie Bisharat's Gypsy-like violin, Gary Meek's multiple reeds, and pianist Don Grusin, Castro-Neves signals that this is not going to be a predictable release. His compositions include the funky, strutting "All One" and the infectious "Holding with an Open Hand." The surprising rendition of "'Round Midnight" begins dramatically, then suddenly turns into a lively upbeat bossa nova. Equally compelling are his arrangements of standards like "The Very Thought of You" and "There Will Never Be Another You," both of which feature his warm, friendly vocals. The only disappointment is the inclusion of smooth jazzer Michael Franks' lightweight, monotonous "One Bad Habit" to close an otherwise flawless CD. ~ Ken Dryden

Recording information: Firehouse, Pasadena, CA; Kennis Enterprises, Inc., Los Angeles, CA; The Cutting Room, New York, NY; Visual Rhythm Studios, Alhambra, CA.

Director: Maria Ehrenreich.

Photographer: Curtis McElhinney.

Arranger: Oscar Castro-Neves.

Personnel: Oscar Castro-Neves (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Oscar Castro-Neves; Charlie Bisharat (violin, viola); Gary Meek (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Brian Bromberg (acoustic bass, upright bass); Mike Shapiro (drums); Kevin Ricard (percussion); Paulina Aguirre, Luis Chaparro, Isela Sotelo, Kenny O'Brien (background vocals); Luciana Souza (vocals); Don Grusin (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet); Alex Acuña (drums).

Liner Note Author: Gretchen Carhartt.

Down Beat (p.61) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "On ALL ONE he applies a comforting light-blue tint to jazz and pop tunes, a stunning Chopin prelude and some infectious originals."
JazzTimes (p.108) - "Castro-Neves has his way with 'Naima,' turning that revered Coltrane anthem into a slick, upbeat samba romp underscored by hip-hop and Afro-Cuban rhythms."
Global Rhythm (Publication) (p.45) - "Castro-Neves pays tribute to the masters by offering his own nuanced take on John Coltrane's 'Naima' and Thelonious Monk's 'Round Midnight'..."