Roger Davidson Quintet
Brazilian Love Song
Soundbrush Records
www.soundbrush.com

Raul Jaurena & His Tango Orchestra
Fuerza Milonguera
Soundbrush Records
www.soundbrush.com
By George W. Harris

If these two releases are any indication, the new leadership of Soundbrush records by bassist/producer Pablo Aslan looks like a great call, as these new discs brim with class, style and heart.

Pianist Rober Davidson has had a love affair with latin music throughout his career, and this disc with Paulo Braga/dr, David Finck/b, Aaron Heick/sax and Marivaldos Dos Santos/perc is a delight. Davidson wrote all the material here, and the style is Bill Evans-genteel, with a groove similar to the feel of the early Getz/Gilberto sessions. Trio material like “Calor do Coracao” features interplay between Davidson and Finck’s warm bass, while “Ritmos das Flores” and “Samba da Sarah” sizzles like garlic and onions in the pan. Excellently served hot.

Bandoneon maestro Raul Jaurena leads an intoxicatingly vivacious band with a string section, guitarist Julio Cobelli, bassist Sergio Monro and a trio of other box squeezers. A handful of the songs feature the enticing vocals of Marga Mitchell, but the focus here is on passion, with hints of romantic wistfulness provided by the strings. At times giving the mood of an old movie soundtrack, the disc mixes nostalgia with up to the moment celebration. A heart on its sleeve performance.