Brazilian music is most meaningful to me when the song and vocal come with an ache. When that happens, the melancholy translates as a beach-y blues—heartbreak plus humidity. But always the heartbreak.
One of the finest new albums from Brazil that expresses this feeling with studied patience and deep sincerity is Gustavo Cysne's new album Deep Blue (Jazz Station). The only reason I know about it is because my long-time friends in Rio, producer Arnaldo DeSouteiro and vocalist Ithamara Koorax, let me know. [Photo above of Gustavo Cysne and Ithamara Koorax]
Here's Arnaldo's note:
Hi Marc. In July 2024, I released an album (actually, an EP) by a rising bossa nova star from Brasilia named Gustavo Cysne. His vocal style has been deeply influenced by Chet Baker and João Gilberto. Gustavo also plays acoustic guitar and piano.
As we planned the project, I decided to back him with some of Brazil's greatest musicians, such as legendary bassist Sergio Barroso, who recorded with Sarah Vaughan on her "I Love Brazil" album. Sergio also appears on Kenny Barron's "Brazilian Knights," on Deodato's "Skyscrapers" and "Ataque" plus on records by Michel Legrand, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Edu Lobo, Ithamara Koorax, Jurgen Friedrich, Gal Costa, Elis Regina and many of Brazil's leading pop and bossa stars.
The drummer is Cesar Machado, famous for his contribution to Hendrik Meurken's "Sambahia" and albums by Paquito D'Rivera and Claudio Roditi.
On "Deep Blue," Ithamara is featured with Gustavo along with the Amoroso Orchestra on the track "Dive Into the Deep Blue," a gorgeous bossa nova with a lush arrangement I wrote inspired by Claus Ogerman's work on such iconic albums as Joao Gilberto's "Amoroso" and Diana Krall's "The Look of Love." Thus, my idea to create the orchestra and then name it The Amoroso Orchestra.
What's particularly special about this album is the approach taken by Gustavo. He's in no hurry to get through a song. Each one is taken at a sensual slow-motion tempo, as if delivering a caress. The breezy pace combined with the pensive arrangements make the song shimmer with romantic suffering. [Photo above, from left, tenor saxophonist Jose Carlos Bigorna and producer Arnaldo DeSouteiro]
And Arnoldo drawing a line from Chet Baker and João Gilberto to Gustavo is apt. As for Ithamara, she has never sounded better. On Dive Into the Deep Blue, she matches Gustavo's sensitivity and tenderness. This album is a must own, from Rio's heart to yours.
The tracks:
- Chegou Pra Ficar (Gustavo Cysne)
- Dive Into The Deep Blue (Cysne), w/ Ithamara Koorax, the Amoroso Orchestra*
- If You Never Come to Me (Aloysio De Oliveira/Antonio Carlos Jobim)
- Discussão (Jobim)
- Noturna (Guinga)
- Love Whispers to Our Hearts (Cysne)
- O Que O Amor Pode Ser (Cysne), w/ the Amoroso Orchestra
- Inútil Paisagem (De Oliveira/Jobim)
Arrangements by Arnaldo DeSouteiro, Diego Do Valle and Gustavo Cysne.
*English lyrics by Fernando Grigolin.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Gustavo Cysne's new album Deep Blue (Jazz Station) here.
JazzWax clips: Here's If You Never Come to Me...
Here's Dive Into the Deep Blue, featuring vocalist Ithamara Koorax...
Bonus: Here’s the fabulous Ithamara in the studio recording her vocal with Gustavo Cysne on guitar backed by the Amoroso Orchestra...
Here's Gustavo Cysne singing Chegou Pra Ficar (he's on piano and guitar as well)...
And here's a new single of the hypnotic Samba do Dom Natural, featuring vocalists Ithamara Koorax and the legendary Carlos Pingarilho...
To read my interview with Ithamara, go here.