Tuesday 4 March 2014

Review: Antonio Carlos Jobim - Tide

After the huge success of the largely instrumental ‘Wave’, Antonio Carlos Jobim three years later planned ‘Tide’ as a direct sequel. And though most of the songs are still Jobim originals and the title track again evokes a love of the sea, ‘Tide’ charms in an entirely different way.

The major change between ‘Wave’ and ‘Tide’ is the chosen arranger. In place of the earlier Claus Ogerman who pushed the more relaxed and sometimes melancholic Jobim, Eumir Deodato - he of the disco take of ‘Also Sprach Arathustra’, the theme from ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ - gives a more jazz and energetic feel to the recordings.

An interesting instrumental version of ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ opens proceedings with slightly more bounce than one would expect from the laid-back classic, but the biggest success here is easily ‘Tema Jazz’, which offers a great showcase for the stellar flute and saxophone support from Joe Farrell, Hermeto Pascoal and Jerry Dodgion.

Best of all, Jobims guitar takes a much more background role, allowing his subtle one-finger piano playing to dominate more. The rhythm section, more driving than ‘Wave’, is guided as on the ealier album by the superb Ron Carter and Airto Moreira, creating a fully swinging Brazillian jazz. And it is this strong rhythmic sensibility that truly moves the music outside of the pure possa nova label.

‘Tide’ is a great album, a perfect companion piece to the wider-known ‘Wave’, and a must for any fan of the timeless music of Tom Jobim.

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