Search - Brazil and Beyond :: Sounds Of The Holidays

From CD review section SOUND JUDGMENT Detroit Free Press, Su

Submitted by | 12/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Does holiday music Brazilian-style sound like an oil-and-water combination? Not in the capable, inventive hands of local act Brazil And Beyond, who explore a wide range of material on their multifaceted new release.



Giving B&B a distinctive sound is its frequent use of the cavaquinho, a small soprano member of the guitar family, played by leader Rich K (Kowalewski), who started the band in 1999. Kowalewski is an in-demand studio musician and teaches a bass master class at Oakland University.



Also setting that lilting Latin mood are Ken Braun, who plays the cavaquinho, guitar, and percussion; Frank Marinello on guitars; Rob Emanuel on drums and percussion, and Dennis Sheridan on an array of percussion instruments.



Even the most traditional Christmas tunes are cleverly reimagined, such as "The First Noel," on which Rich K plays the melody on bass, and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Carol of the Bells" featuring him on mandolin. Warm renditions of "Winter Wonderland" and "We Three Kings" are sure to make you feel like you're enjoying the holidays on a beach in Rio de Janeiro.



The medleys of "Chanukah Folktune"/"I Have a Little Dreydl" and "Little Drummer Boy"/"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" are nothing short of charming, as is the sunny take of "Happy Happy Kwanzaa"



"