Kenny G goes Brazilian

How nice to come across Brazilian Nights, the lovely new album of bossa nova music by sax wizard Kenny G at this time of the year. It is just the right sort of sound to enjoy when the nights are cool and the days have become warm and balmy and as you feel the world winding down in anticipation of Lent. Easy, relaxing, mellow, so smooth and utterly sexy.

Kenny G is the artist who took the world by storm with his single Songbird and his album Breathless over 20 years ago as well as with his now most recognizable long, curly hair. He has since then recorded some 14 albums since he remains the most commercially successful sax artist in pop music history. Think 75 million albums sold, 12 million of them for Breathless alone in the US. Fast forward to today. He still has the hair and the precise, intricate breathing style that continues to create big sellers. A recent outing was Last Friday Night with pop diva Katy Perry.

Kenny G has recorded bossa nova tunes before. I recall listening to Desafinado and The Girl From Ipanema in previous albums. But this is the first time he has done an entire album of Latin sounds and it is very good. Truth to tell, he seems to have so totally immersed himself in the music that together with his frequent collaborator and pianist Walter Afanasieff, he was able to create new tunes that can stand seamlessly side by side with the classics.

Brazilian Nights is a 10-song set. Half of these are the “usuals” that we have come to expect in bossa nova albums. Bossa Antigua, Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars), Menina Moca, Clouds, and of course, the one that no first bossa album should be without, The Girl From Ipanema. The rest though are all-new originals. Bossa Real, Brazilian Nights, April Rain, Bu Bossa and Summer Love.

Unless told about it, I doubt if the casual listener can tell the difference. Brazilian Nights is just one sweet, romantic samba tune after another. And Kenny G is playing at his best. Nothing intense here at all. Just like the bossa, he keeps his sax playing, gentle and low key. Although he goes from alto to tenor to soprano in the album, his notes are always easy on the ears. The songs have me thinking. Wouldn’t it be nice if somebody could write words to these new melodies. I am sure they would turn out to be not only beautiful but also future bossa nova classics.

Brazilian Nights reminded me of Fatboy Slim Presents Bem Brazil, a great collection of Brazilian sounds performed by various artists and curated by the famous DJ, composer, producer and master of the mixing board, Fatboy Slim. The guy is British but he is a world expert on dance and that is what Brazilian music is mostly about, dancing.

I find it interesting that he has divided Bem Brazil into two discs. The album has CD 1, which is Para Noite or for evening. As such it is made up of happy sounds that conjure up images of carnivals and beach parties enjoyed to the tune of Samba Do Mundo, Taj Mahal, Celebration Suite, Magalenha, Eppare!, Madalena, O Cavaleiro E Os Moinhos, Sensualizar, Everybody Loves A Carnival and Put Your Hands Up For Brazil.

CD 2 is Para Dia or For Day. You know what we often imagine Brazilian days to be like. Fun, relaxed and eternally sun-kissed.  So here are the beautiful melodies Fatboy Slim selected to go with them. Stuttgart, Weapon Of Choice, Agibore, Maracatu Atomico, Toda Menina Baiana, Aldeia De Ogum, Princesa Negra De Angola, Keepee Uppee, Samba Creola and Origem.

For more pulsating Brazilian rhythms, you might want to check out Brasil!, the ultimate party collection with 50 big hits in three discs. Here are some of the best Latin influenced dance tracks ever produced and performed by some of the biggest stars. Here is music for you to get lost in while enjoying your Brazilian dreams.

Among the cuts are Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes featuring Black Eyed Peas; On The Floor by Jennifer Lopez; Corcovado by Everything but the Girl; So Nice (Summer Samba) by Astrud Gilberto and Walter Wanderly Trio; Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones and his Orchestra; Watermelon Man by Mongo Santamaria; Aquarela Do Brasil by Gal Costa; a medley of One Note Samba and Spanish Flea by Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66; The Girl From Ipanema also by Astrud; and Desafinado by Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim.