01. A Ra
02. Maracatu Atomico
03. Dead Weight
04. Living On Sand
05. Antiqua
06. April Child
07. Tanga
08. No Comments
09. Rise
10. Palhaco
11. Brazilian Waters

Leo Gandelman (soprano, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones, piano, keyboards, percussion); Celso Fonseca (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars); Suely Mesquita (vocals); Egberto Gismonti, Philippe Saisse (piano); Sacha Amback (keyboards, bass, programming); Ricardo Silveira (acoustic guitar); Torcuato Mariano (guitar); Eddie Gomez (bass); Paulo Braga (drums); Ramior Mussoto (programming, percussion).

Read the original liner notes.

Brazilian Soul was developed and recorded over several months in Rio de Janeiro, and is Leo's seventh album. It opens with a smart contemporary version of the hit "Rise" by Herbert Alpert that immediately achieved more then 30 spins a week at WQCD NYC (CD101.9). The second song is a street savvy arrangement of "A Rã" (The Frog) with Gandelman's alto sax serving up a sleek, stylish melody over a bed of lilting Brazilian vocals. At the beginning of the song, listen closely to Leo's pronunciation of the title in Portuguese. ("That's me!" joked Leo, "speaking into the bell of bass clarinet!"), and then later by the background chorus.

It's the first clue as to how Leo's unique grasp of life and music effortlessly dissolves the cultural differences of countries half a world away. The third song is a percussive acid remake of "Maracatu Atomico" a composition by Gilberto Gil and Jorge Mautner, which was a tremendous hit in Europe during the 70's. Versions of Sting's "Fragile" and Beck's "Dead Weight" receive fresh reads by Gandelman as he embraces the original melodies and adds a distinctly Brazilian feel.

Gandelman's classical training also shines brightly on the song "Palhaço", a sensitive duet with the phenomenal Brazilian pianist Egberto Gismonti, while the saxophonist's more adventurous side is displayed on "Brazilian Wathers", featuring bassist Eddie Gomez. "Tanga" is classic Gandelman, as he trades the song's rapid-fire melody with guitarist and country man Ricardo Silveira, and then launches into the tune's main theme which is spiced with Brazilian rhythms by Marcos Suzano and Marcos Nimrichter's accordion playing.

On the Antonio Carlos Jobim classic "Antiqua", Gandelman's tenor caresses each note of the bossa nova classic while Philippe Saisse solos over a synth bed with a whistling counterpoint and oscillating space sounds. "It's my first recording of a Jobim song, and I really like how it stays close to the original while incorporating our own impressions of Jobim's playful personality."