Aficionados of Brazilian music will know all about LUIZ MILLAN. Born in São Paulo, Millan studied classical piano and popular acoustic guitar as a teenager. He also graduated as a doctor in 1982, specializing in Psychiatry. But music is his first love and critics place him in a direct line from maestros like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfá, João Gilberto, Ivan Lins, Marcos Valle, Edu Lobo, and Chico Buarque. The multi-tasking, singer/songwriter Millian has composed film scores, written songs for other Brazilian singers, and recorded four albums as a leader and one DVD. Right now he’s busy promoting his fifth album ‘Brazilian Match’ and produced by Arnaldo DeSouteiro and arranged by Michel Freidenson, it really is a treasure trove for lovers of Brazilian music in particular and for connoisseurs of quality contemporary, adult music in general.
‘Brazil Match’ is a generous 16 tracker and features a guest list of Cecil B De Mille proportions. Here, helping Millan flesh out his ideas are David Sanborn, Randy Brecker and Mark Egan, The New York Voices, Eddie Daniels, Mike Mainieri, Ada Rovatti, John Tropea, Barry Finnerty, Danny Gottlieb, Josh Marcum, singers Ellen Johnson, Alice Soyer, Lisa Ono, Clémentine and Gianna Viscardi!
Our man David Sanborn adds his distinctive sax tones to the mood setting, lilting bossa nova ‘In The Grove of The Jacarandas’ which is essentially a vehicle for the vocal artistry of Ellen Johnson. Randy Brecker features on two tracks ‘Andar Descalço’ and ‘Morungaba’. Amongst the other highlights is ‘Full Moon’ with sweet vocals from the New York Voices. The song features again as ‘Lua Cheia’ with Portuguese lyrics sung by Millan himself and the co-composer Jorge Pinheiro. Then there’s the soulful, Still Looking At The Moon with vocals from Alice Soyer.
The moods aren’t all Brazilian though. ‘Montparnasse’ (with vocals from Clémentine) takes us to Paris’ Left Bank (the clue’s in the song title) while the two versions of ‘Morungaba’ deliver both Brazilian and French flavours – one features vocals from Japanese singer Lisa Ono, the other has Clémentine out front again. Those two tracks add nuance to an album that, as we’ve said, yields countless gems. It’s out now and, with a lovely, evocative cover (above), it comes recommended!
