Charlie Byrd – More Brazilian Byrd (Speakers Corner Vinyl LP)

Immortal samba, and its rhythmic relatives, is on the one hand so undemanding that it manages to take off with the simplest of instruments, yet on the other hand it is so concentrated that it can conjure up all manner of fantastic sound coloring. With regard to these sessions that were recorded in the sixties, when bossa nova found its way to the USA, the record bosses gathered together a superb array of musicians. Influenced by a classical training on the guitar, Charlie Byrd’s guitar playing weaves its way through the complicated but always lightweight arrangements.

The “One Note Samba,” with its intentional monotony, is performed nonchalantly yet does not lack verve; the “Weekend In Guaruja” is filled with sunshine and high spirits. The ensemble plays with great variance and well-measured phrases on the winds while cracking shots from the drum set mark the unwavering rhythm to which Byrd lets his guitar strings dance. This blissfully harmonious interplay works equally as well in the small ensemble around the solo guitar (“Little Boat”) as in the rich sequence of chords which ascend airily and delightfully aimlessly (“Pretty Butterfly”). And as a perfect ending we have once again a lush, full sound on the drums and trumpets (“Foi A Saudade”). It’s nearly impossible not to be carried away by this thrilling roller-coaster ride.

Recorded in 1966 by Fred Plaut and Ed Michalski and produced by Teo Macero, this 180g vinyl reissue was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head.

1. One Note Samba (Samba De Uma Nota So)
2. Weekend In Guaruja (Fim De Semana Em Guaruja)
3. Little Boat (O Barquinho)
4. Pretty Butterfly (No Balanco Do Jequibau)
5. Berimbau
6. Agua De Beber
7. Jequibau
8. How Insensitive (Insensataez)
9. Esperando O Sol
10. Felicidade (From Black Orpheus)
11. Foi A Saudade (You Can’t Go Home Again)