MATT FINLEY - BRAZILIAN WISH (2006)
Matt Finley, flugelhorn & trumpet
Romero Lubambo, acoustic guitar
Warren Bernhardt, piano (tracks 2,8,9)
Jon Werking, piano & keyboards (tracks 1,3,4,5,6,7)
Jeff Ciampa, electric guitar
Mark Egan, electric bass (tracks 1,3,4,5,6,7)
Dave Finck, acoustic bass (tracks 2,8,9)
Joel Rosenblatt, drums (tracks 1,3,4,5,6,7)
Jeff Siegel, drums (tracks 2,8)
Tomas Martin Lopez, Latin percussion and the Dubway horn section (tracks 1,3,4,6)
Barry Denielian, trumpet
David Mann, tenor & soprano sax
Dan Levine, trombone
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
Review by Frank Villafañe for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Brazilian Wish is Matt Finley’s induction into the world of Brazilian latin jazz, and is a well-produced, beautiful showcase of his skill as a composer and performer. Consisting of nine original compositions (all composed by Matt himself), Brazilian Wish is a stunning achievement, given the fact that Matt’s background is similar to my own (a career in computer programming), and not music per se; nevertheless, as a world-class trumpeter, Matt holds his own with some renowned jazz performers featured on this CD. It is interesting to note that Matt attributes the inception of his “Brazilian wish” to an epiphany of sorts, when he successfully married both music (his love) and computers (his profession). Judging by the stellar result, I would have to applaud the union and consider it “very good, indeed”.
Brazilian Wish opens with the curiously-titled “Father’s Day”, a funky little ditty that got me bouncing in my seat. Tomas Martin Lopez starts it off with some tasty conga riffs, while Matt and crew go to work laying down some smooth melodic brass lines, peppered with swells, stabs, and a really hip little timbal break. In short order, the solos start wth Matt leading the charge. Great flugelhorn! Matt’s chops just glide over the changes. Jeff Ciampa’s & Jon Werking’s solos are too cool, especially the Rhodes (one of my preferred keyboards back in the day). Last was David Mann’s surprise soprano solo – I only wish it was longer! A great tune…one wonders if maybe Matt was wishing every day was like “Father’s Day”…we can only guess. “Brazilian Wish” (the title song) sounds a bit like a Brazilian travelogue – and that’s a good thing! Just close your eyes and imagine yourself drifting on a boat in the bahia, garotas lining the beach, SugarLoaf in the background, while strains of Joao Gilbert gently waft the breeze, and you’ll see what I mean. Romero Lubambo’s guitar and Dave Finck’s acoustic bass lay the foundation, while Warren Bernhardt takes the Antonio Carlos Jobim “less is more” approach to ‘comping. Meantime, they’re content to let Matt float over the harmonic bed with a lazy, mañana-can-wait air that just invites relaxation. To close the tune, Matt lays down some really nice solo lines over a repeated motif. Also of note is Bernhardt’s beautifully poignant piano solo. “There You Are” opens with a unique juxtaposition of an afro-cuban style montuno riff with an odd-meter 7/4 brazilian tombo. The initial melody is in 7/4, but quickly transitions to straight 4/4 in the bridge, building to a full-out brass break. Matt begins the solo section, and the rhythm shifts again with Joel Rosenblatt playing a straight 4/4 baion/ brazilian pop, almost disco-like, riding the hi-hat. At the culmination of Matt’s solo, the brass trade contrapuntal flurries with the guitar, climaxing in a sfzorzando unison…and the montuno (and melody) come back in 7/4 tombo, piano al aire, as if to say “oh…THERE you are!”. Easily the most complex arrangement on the CD, “There You Are” is certainly the most interesting – rhythmically, melodically, and harmonically. With “Childhood Home”, Matt regales us with a hauntingly plaintive melody in a classic bossa setting. Next to “Brazilian Wish”, “Childhood Home” is one of the more classically “brazilian” of the songs, and one of my favorites. Both Jeff Ciampa and Romero Lubambo trade guitar solos (electric and acoustic)...very smoothly done, too. The song fades out, with Romero riffing on the changes.
“When She’s Gone” is a medium-tempo bluesy cha-cha, with a nice laid-back feel (think “Morning”). It’s also the first song where Matt steps aside, letting someone else head up the solo section; and here Jeff Ciampa leads the way with a tasty electric guitar solo. This is another song where Jon Werking works that EP (this time a Wurlitzer - but sounding very much like a Rhodes), and lends a funky ‘70’s West Coast latin fusion vibe to the tune. I like this song...it sounds like it should be played at 3:00AM with a cup of coffee in hand. Well, no Brazilian album would be complete without at least one samba, and “So Close” is it. Romero Lubambo takes an extended solo on this song, and excels. “So Close” captures a bit of Carnaval atmosphere…complete with samba whistles, cuica, agogo, etc. The song even breaks out into a full-blown batucada…nicely done. “Another Year” is a medium slow ballad with a straight driving beat. Matt plays a muted trumpet and appears to have dubbed the flugelhorn as well. The melody is somewhat introspective, as suggested by the title, and seems to say “another year has gone by and…” - you fill in the blank. Matt’s solo is contemplative and VERY smokey…real back-room jazzy stuff. Jon Werking plays acoustic piano and solos his butt off on this one, and if you listen close enough, you can almost hear Jon (or someone) humming along with the changes. “Another Year” is another one of my favorites. “Calm Waters” is the longest piece on the CD, at 6:10, and is similar in feel to “Brazilian Wish”. It sounds as if it is arranged for quintet, and indeed, one can hear the acoustic guitar, piano, bass, drums and flugelhorn (classic Joao Gilbert/Stan Getz instrumentation…well, flugelhorn instead of sax, but you get my drift). “Calm Waters” starts calmly enough, but soon picks up the pace and double-times the solos, and belies the title. Speaking of solos, Warren Bernhardt really smokes on piano…and do I hear him humming along? As for Matt, well…he smokes on every tune (of course). At the culmination of the solos, the rhythm returns to its original “lazy-river” pace and the song concludes. Brazilian Wish ends with “Softly Speaking”, a gorgeous, sexy ballad. The title suggests a woman calling her mate to bed…lights and voices low. Tomas Martin Lopez’s percussion is so low-key as to be almost non-existent, and opens with conga, rainstick, maracas, and triangle, later adding bongo and surdo - although subdued, it’s never far from the surface, and remains constant. Matt again reaches for the mute, and phrases “ever so lightly”, with Jeff Ciampa doubling the lead on guitar. Jeff is the only soloist here, and does Matt proud. The song fades out and leaves the rest to the imagination of the listener… I greatly enjoyed listening to Brazilian Wish, and will return to it often, as the mood strikes. Matt has produced a very polished product. The musicians and arrangements are excellent; Matt’s execution is virtually flawless, and much the same can be said for the other musicians on this project as well. If you long for a taste of Brazil, and can’t get there, then this is the next best thing. Definitely one Brazilian Wish that comes true - solid A’s all around… obrigado, Matt!
