The Jazz IS Dead series, lead by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Mohammed strikes again with the legendary Brazailian vocalist Marcos Valle taking center stage. What Younge and Shaheed Mohammed do so well capturing the emotion of Valle’s sound while blending it with their analog 70’s soul influenced arrangements. The studio sessions harken back to the days when artists completed a recording in one or two takes and that’s more than enough for the veteran vocalist to shine. “Queira Bem” is filled with sun drenched rhodes and sparkling percussion. Valle’s vocals float over the rhythm like a warm summer breeze. “Viajando Por Al” is a seductive bossa duet. “Nao Sala Da Praca has a percolating groove that’s tailor made for Valle. The dusty analog approach from Younge and Shaheed Mohammed are a match made in heaven for one of the vocal Kings of Brazil. Simply a superb release worthy of repeated listens.
