Todos os Tons

Album review

Important solo album by the late Brazilian virtuoso, dedicated to Tom Jobim's compositions, Todos Os Tons opens with a very uncommon rendition of the broadly familiar Jobim tune "Samba Do Avião" ("Plane Samba"). Abandoning the bossa nova beat, Rabelo embraces the flamenco tradition, very dear to him, and, joined by his guest Paco de Lucia, echoes the gitano expression in a Brazilian setting, in which Bahian berimbau interventions interact with overall samba backing by the percussion. "Samba de Uma Nota Só" ("One Note Samba") also gives up the bossa tradition and attacks with a heavily syncopated samba rhythm for Rabello's virtuosic soloing. Enigmatic "Passarim receives an elaborated transcription for violão trio. "Retrato Em Preto E Branco" ("Portrait in Black and White") is sensitively interpreted by Rabello in a dialogue with guest soloists Jacques Morelenbaum (cello) and Luiz Avelar (piano). "Modinha" is performed solo in ad-lib tempo. "Garota de Ipanema" ("Girl From Ipanema") has a more powerful samba rhythm approach in which the bass contributes for a contemporary feel, and the introduction/interlude brings a new way of listening to this classic. The sensitive "Anos Dourados" is romantically exposed by Rabello with the help of Luiz Avelar emulating a string orchestra always carefully avoiding the clichés. "Garoto," an energetic tribute in moderate tempo to the great violonista has Tom Jobim himself at the piano. "Pois É" surprises in a flamenco-based introduction renewed by guest alto Paulo Moura improvising over a bossa nova beat, soon replaced by a doleful violão. "Luíza" receives a romantic and longing solo violão treatment that includes a tremolo ending directly reminiscent of classic tradition. The album is an opportunity for catching classic bossa nova themes reread through the unconventional yet creative and always competent lenses of an exceptional Brazilian virtuoso, unfortunately so young deceased.

© Alvaro Neder /TiVo