Paulinho Da Costa Music

Dori has always walked the tightrope with gentle sensuousness on one side and cloying fuzak on the other. I'm afraid he fell onto the wrong side with this one, but I have every confidence he will get back up "where he belongs". How's that for pompous?

Mark Murphy likes his music; Johnny Mathis, too; Lani Hall has just recorded one of his compositions; Sergio Mendes has recorded many of his songs from the 60s. Dori is one of the best composers of contemporary post-Bossa Nova Brazilian music. However, this album is quite different because he decided to show his great and well-known ability as an arranger. The original arrangement he wrote for Henry Mancini's "The Pink Panther" gave him a 1999 Grammy nomination. Each track here is a movie theme beautifully re-arranged by Dori. Very exquisite and good.

I was lucky to have seen Dori on 7/13/00 at the Blue Note in New York City. He played a couple songs from Cinema and knocked our socks off (Pink Panther and a song from a James Bond Movie). Plus playing some originals from his collection and Jobim classics!!! Was a great evening!

I'm a big fan of Dori Caymmi's music, but I admit to being a bit suspicious when I saw his new CD of arrangements of film music, including "Pink Panther". I went ahead and bought it anyway--it's fantastic! His arrangements are as clever, colorful and heartfelt as ever. His sidemen, the LA studio musicians he most often works with, are all great players--I was particularly impressed with Billy Childs, Abe Laboriel and Scott Mayo. The sound is impeccable. I do wish he'd found a Brazilian vocalist for "Manha de Carnaval"--the singer is good but her Portuguese accent leaves something to be desired. But don't let this stop you from picking up this great album!

I will miss you george. This the first song and album I heard of GH. I adore Boney, but it was GH who set the tone for everyone else ( Kenny G, Boney,, Najee, etc). I was very happy to have seen one of hos great performances.

This by far is one of George Howard's best albums. Telephone is one of my favorates. The song has a haunting bass line that sets the grove for some late night romance or dinner. Anyone who is not familiar with George Howard, buy this album. You will not be sorry.

I originally purchased this collection as a cassette back in 1985. When I played it for others they always were impressed with the songs. No wonder! This was George Howard's first highly recognized album of his career, making the #1 spot in 1985 in Top Jazz Albums. And check out Billy Childs on the keyboards! This was truly the beginning of George Howard's celebration of music and song.

.....this one would get the limit. This is the most fabulous music video it has ever been my joy [and honor] to watch. And I've watched it a bunch of times. This concert of old favorite jazz standards found Diana, and her side-men, in absolutely perfect form. She obviously respects her back-up musicians, and they her; it makes for amazing chemistry.....

The technical aspects...sound, camera work, engineering, are all perfect. Diana connected well with her audience, despite the language barrier; everybody had a grand experience, as well they should have. The specific numbers need no comment; if you're reading this, you know them by heart.

Diana Krall is a miracle of God's creative art...a jazz singer for the ages. That she may well be the most beautiful girl on earth is a nice bonus. If you think I'm smitten, you're right. Not everybody can see Diana live, but all can enjoy this fabulous DVD. Prepare to be blown away......

Oh my gosh. If I could only have one music DVD this would be the one. I had the Diana Krall CD "Live in Paris" and then later bought this. The DVD has a few more songs than the CD. Krall is an engaging performer. Her voice is sultry to say the least and she's easy on the eyes. All of the performers are excellent. She even jams with the back up symphony. Is it possible to wear a DVD out? I just might find the answer to that question soon and will let you know.

I love Diana Krall's scotch with honey voice and amazing piano playing. She really is the modern jazz chanteuse carrying on a great tradition trailblazed by Peggy Lee,Carmen McRae, Helen Forrest, Sarah Vaughan, Kitty Kallen, and Dinah Washington, etc. Anyone that does not absolutely love this performance is - well, crazy! From the smoking hot "I Love Being Here With You" opener to the gorgeous "Cry Me A River", Diana and her band are on fire. For the reviewer that complained about the performance filmed against a black background with black piano and Diana wearing black - I suggest buying eyeglasses. I have a 42" Samsung plasma tv and visuals were crystal clear so I have no idea what he was complaining about not being able to see thru all the black colors. I almost think this was recorded in hi-definition. Even though it was filmed on stage, the lighting with orchestra sitting behind the band reminded me of an intimate jazz club. The sound quality is excellent. The camera work was superb with some wonderful closeups of Diana's fingers caressing the keyboard during solos. I played this dvd for a friend that does not appreciate jazz and she loved it!

There aren't very many music concert DVDs available playing standards rather than rock and other contemporary music. The best part of this record are Krall's five backup musicians. They are excellent, especially Anthony Wilson on the guitar. Diane Krall's singing and piano are very good too, but the selection of songs was on the slow and draggy side. All in all, this is the best DVD of popular standards that we have ever found. Henry Haggland, Napa, CA

I am not really interested in jazz, but this DVD knocked my socks off.
Beautifully filmed and recorded, it reveals Ms Krall's great talents as both a vocalist and pianist. Her choice of tunes was appealing, with most of them being old favorites - but presented with silky smooth new arrangements.
The whole performance was enhanced by the caliber of her supporting group.
Great stuff!

This Brazilian Jazz/R&B classic album is an all-star 70's session.

Paulinho Da Costa is a percussion master, his credit having played on any
West Coast/L.A. Jazz, R&B, Pop and even Rock session from the Disco era to now.
Any producer with taste knows he's the best kept secret in the recording industry, but he is a musician's musician first. There are many talented musicians who play with percision. Paulinho Da Costa is of that elite caliber. Master of his domain, and in the percussion world he is the epitome of real perfection.

HAPPY PEOPLE is excellent because of the fine quality of playing, singing, songwriting, arranging and the All-Time classic R&B style by producer Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire. This is one of his best Jazz collaborations,
he also helped make the classic Twennynine featuring Lenny White albums.

These songs have a fantastic Brazilian Earth, Wind & Fire-influenced vibe, with the heart of the best of 70's Jazz & Soul. The R&B sound blends perfectly with the Jazz Fusion groove. The song "Love Til the End of Time" is a classic. The Black Eyed Peas sampled it on their first ever hit 'Joints and Jams'. Recognition to all the players on this session, all 70's Jazz masters.
Certainly these Happy People make it sound so great. The singers on here are the best kept secrets of all, you have to hear it to see what I mean!

If you simply like Earth, Wind & Fire, this is essential listening.
If you like REAL classic Smooth Jazz, or Brazilian Pop Fusion this is highly recommended! I knew this was a timeless recording the first time I heard it.

A fine 1979 album thats a 70's Soul & Latin Fusion classic, also from that same year check out George Duke -BRAZILIAN LOVE AFFAIR! -A great era for music!

*Important note: In case you're wondering, the few bonus tracks featured in this import version are from his 1984 album SUNRISE, another great recording, although not quite as essential as this. (Includes the cuts, I'm Going to Rio, You've Got A Special Kind of Love, and a another cut I can't recall, an instrumental maybe)

*Incidentally, HAPPY PEOPLE badly needs to be reissued. The 1993 Pablo Records (Original Jazz Classics) CD version is out of print and that's a crime. Such great music deserves to be available at a fair price!
Try to find it used, I guess the price here is steep, but it is a Japanese import.

Truly all of Paulinho Da Costa's solo work should be reissued and remastered, along with this including- AGORA, SUNRISE, and BREAKDOWN.
He also made a 2005 release that isn't available in the US.
Just try YouTube, search his name and you will find interesting things!
The Best Percussionist you've always heard, but maybe not seen at play!

-Nik Miranda, musician and American Soul/Jazz/Funk fan

Romantic, exotic, intoxicating jazz fusion, quite a few tracks with Brazillian overtones courtesy of engineer turn musician/composer/vocalist Ivan Lins. This is not Antonio Carlos Jobim type breezy, wonderful jazz. But more passionate. Lins married a famous Brazillian beauty and she broke his heart! He turned to song writing and became a respected and popular musician. Here, he collaborates with Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour and their regulars like harvey Mason, Don Grusin(Dave's Brother) etc. Digitally recorded and mastered at Dave's GRP studio, it sounds good, off course, like ALL GRP recordings. Early AM attitude is the most popular track on this disc. Composed by Grusin, you might have heard it before on radio etc. But the Entire disc is excellant. Ritenour also wrote a few tarck. Lins wrote 3 and sings as well(in Brazillian, though he does sing in English in his subsequent albums). This CD is worth every penny and is a MUST have!

a great CD Dave Grusin and Lee Ritenour never fail to hit the right spot

I know that I have always wanted to have a bit of each type of music in my collection so that everyone that I ever had at my house could enjoy something. Not that I believe that it is possible to please everybody, but it IS possible to have music of every type so everyone can enjoy their visit.

This is one of those CDs that various times over the years (I have had it since it came out) someone said - Wow! I have never been able to find this... Since I live in Brazil, it is not easy to find here. And when it is played over Sunday Brunch, or any gathering of a few friends, someone wants to know what it is, and if they can have a copy.

It is the easy to listen to (not easy-listening) kind of jazz that no-one seems to hate. Before you know it, there are feet tapping and heads nodding to the beat. Even my hard-rocker friends like it, as well as the average Joe.

There is simply not a bad song on this, and even if you can't understand the Portuguese language which is sung on a few tracks, you can't mistake the passion that Ivan Lins transmits through Beyond the Storm, which is a personal favorite.

If you like SpyroGyra or the Rippingtons, or if you need a jazz record to please your guests for a wine and cheese party, this is for you!

Grusin and Ritenour recorded their best album in 1986. With the help of Brazilian Jazz extrordanaire, Ivan Linz, the recording becomes an exillarating and refreshing listen. From "Early A.M. Attitude" to "San Ysidro" to "Grid-Lock" to "The Bird", this album is about as complete as it can be and is a landmark release in the development of the Smooth Jazz genre. A "must have" for fans of Contemporary Jazz!!

Lee does it all on this album. The Brazilian overtones are both beautiful and sexy. This is a great CD for an evening with the one you love.