CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

The New Bossa Nova

by: Luciana Souza

Release Date August 21, 2007
Bossa nova has been in Luciana Souza's blood since she was a child growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in the early '60s as the daughter of two of its innovators, Walter Santos and Tereza Sousa.
So, after six critically acclaimed albums where her expansive, homegrown Brazilian musical vocabulary converged with American jazz, the three-time Grammy Award-nominated Los Angeles-based vocalist returns to the wellspring and explores bossa nova from a different slant on "The New Bossa Nova," produced by her husband, jazz musician/producer Larry Klein"(D.Quellette-Reuters).
"The New Bossa Nova" marks an exciting new chapter for the Brazilian-born vocalist and three-time Grammy nominee, who's already widely acknowledged as one of jazz's most ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Osvaldo Golijov: Oceana

from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date July 10, 2007
Golijov is all the rage nowadays. Hailed by the New Yorker and the New York Times as the next big thing in classical music, he has all the right credentials to appeal to our politically-correct aesthetic. He's Argentinian, Jewish and American all at the same time. We love the idea of mixed cultural influences, I suppose because it satisfies our liberal longing for a world where everyone gets along just fine.
I have enjoyed other Golijov productions, although I doubt his ultimate talent. He's not up there with the greats. In this collection, I realized that he is a superb collector of other peoples' themes and inspirations -- rather than a bone fide creator of his own. There is one movement, superbly sung by Dawn Upshaw, where the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Brazilian Duos

by: Luciana Souza

Release Date May 14, 2002
"Brazilian Duos" is Desert Island music for me. I.e., if I were to be marooned on a desert island with only a few CDs, it would be one I would choose. Of all my Brazilian music (I speak Portuguese and have quite a few), this is the one that gets the most play. The craftsmanship of everyone involved with this album is immaculate. Luciana's voice is gorgeous, her enunciation crisp, her arrangements charming. The guitarists are equally amazing.

Depending on what you've heard, you may have to broaden your concept of Brazilian music. This is intimate music, just one voice and one acoustic guitar, almost more in the way of chamber music. No drums, no backing choirs, etc. If Luciana Souza were to sing for you, in your living room, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Worlds

by: Aaron Goldberg

Release Date May 09, 2006
This is a great trio album (with guest appearances from Kurt Rosenwinkel and Luciana Souza). Aaron has phenomenal technique and an inventive and passionate yet refined style of piano playing. Eric Harland and Reuben Rogers are at the top of the list of younger jazz musicians right now. The tunes are great. The arrangements are great. There isn't a dull moment. I honestly can't think of anything bad to say about this album.
If you like modern jazz, get it.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Duos II

by: Luciana Souza

Release Date May 24, 2005
This is such a beautiful work; it has the power to open and heal the soul. It is drawn from a deep tradition yet feels so fresh, a new exploration. Luciana sings straight from the heart so directly, so honestly, nothing is wasted; her interplay with the varied guitarists is so intimate, playful, and deep. Their contribution of course is equally astounding. Luciana incorporates her vocal jazz improvisation tastefully, elegantly, with no excess, and gives you just enough to satisfy. I must admit I preferred Duos II considerably to her first Duos disc, though there are equally beautiful places on that recording, but as a whole, this offering feels deeper, more whole and complete...Thank you Luciana and friends!

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

La Pasion Segun San Marcos (St. Mark Passion)

from: Hanssler Classics

Release Date August 28, 2001
Such a 2000 creation from Caracas in Venezuela is a real chalice of bliss and joy. The subject is as old as our civilization. It is also one of the most interesting works by J.S. Bach. And yet we are confronted to a complete renewal, an absolute regeneration that our overlistening to and overperforming of Bach's Passions, and among others Mark's, had more or less convinced our cultural consciousness was impossible. This new creative power had to come from a completely different planet, hemisphere, continent and it had to be the highly creatively christian South America. The composer, Osvaldo Golijov, uses all the musical resources he can have at his disposal in his own country to elaborate and build a new Solomon's Temple to this forever inspiring episode ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Nishoma

from: Navarre

Release Date October 24, 2000
This is the type of album that draws you in and touches parts of your soul you didn't even know existed. Listening to the disc (I've now played mine +/- 20 times) continues to be a heartwarming, soul-stirring experience.

I can think of very few living composers who approach Moses' level of mastery. He is a relatively unknown national treasure.

The musical power on Nishoma is sublime. Moses created pieces very well suited to the playing of his fellow musicians. Most of the standout performances on the disc are by pianist, Steve Kuhn. He hasn't sounded this good since he played with Stan Getz in the Fifties! Vocalist, Luciana Souza, lends a sexy Brazilian edge to the recording. Her voice is chill-inspiring. Bassist, Chris Wood ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Neruda

by: Luciana Souza

Release Date April 06, 2004
As a Spanish speaker and admirer of (any) literature, I do believe that the most important aspect of any poetry is -- more than rhyme and structure -- its rhytm; unless, of course, someone's genius translates the same impact into another language. I cannot recall being fully satisfied when I read poetry outside its language; be it Pablo Neruda or Emily Dickinson. Here we have some of the most fabulous poetry of the XXth century translated into English and sung with a Brazilian accent....hmmm.
I admire Ms Souza's incredible musicianship. She is not just a singer, he is a true artist/musician trying to explore and expand, as has been succesfully proven in her Duos CDs. But her phrasing is rooted in Portuguese and these bland melodies do not lift Neruda's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Norte E Sul (North And South)

by: Luciana Souza

Release Date May 13, 2003
When I got this one, I put it on my MP3 player and listended to it all day every day for a month. It is a great blend of soothing, moving, deeply emotional and sweet.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop and Other Songs

by: Luciana Souza

Release Date September 12, 2000
North & South was the first CD I bought. Luciana's voice surprised me. I have never heard anything like this. After listened so many times I decided to know more about her and buy other stuff. The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop and Other Songs is a great album. The first track is my favourite. I play it everyday. She is a mature singer with a very solid background.