Toquinho - Acoustic (2014)

Toquinho is truly a master of Brazilian music, primarily as an acoustic guitarist on this session devoted primarily to South American composers, occasionally utilizing an unidentified group of supporting musicians. The guitarist throws a bit of a curve to listeners with a marvelous arrangement of several themes by baroque giant Johann Sebastian Bach, and he switches to piano for the very popular "Tico Tico." He covers a wide variety of material from some of the continent's most beloved composers, including magical vocal versions of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Aquas de Marco (Waters of March)" and "Garota de Ipanema (The Girl from Ipanema)." His tantalizing "Manha de Carnaval" is unaccompanied for the first chorus, then adds an electric bass and percussion, though they seem superfluous. His intricate, brisk interpretation of "Tristeza" would easily get any audience on its feet. Toquinho also displays his immense gifts as a composer, highlighted by his infectious "Barcelona." This beautifully engineered CD will be of great interest to fans of Brazilian and Latin jazz.