Belezas, by Wilbert Sostre (JazzTimes)

Belezas, Carol Saboya US solo debut, is a tribute to the music of Ivan Lins and Milton Nascimento, two of the best brazilian composers. Even though Saboya is a young woman, she is not a new face in Brazilian music, this is her tenth album and the third with her father, pianist , and producer of this album, Antonio Adolfo.

The release features guest appearances by saxophonist Dave Liebman and harmonica virtuoso Hendrik Meurkens. Saboya engage the listener with her sweet voice and sublime interpretations, singing in either portuguese or english as she demonstrates on Lins “Soberana Rosa" and Lins and Jane Monheit “Doce Presenca" with special guest Hendrik Meurkens on harmonica.

Belezas means beauties, a perfect title for an album full of poetic and refined compositions, beautifully sung by Carol Saboya. Antonio Adolfo arrangements of Milton Nascimento, maracatu influenced “Bola de meia, bola de gude" and Ivan Lins ballads “Who is in love here (A noite)" and “Abre Alas" are simply exquisite.

Special guest Dave Liebman adds the jazzy feel and his thoughtful solos in the soprano sax to Nascimento ballad “Tarde" and on the 3/4 time signature arrangement of Nascimento "Tristesse".

The fusion of jazz with Brazilian music all troughout the album, especially in songs like Nascimento “Beleza e cancao", goes perfect with the tonal beauty and grace of Carol Saboya. Belezas closes with two gorgeus interpretations of Ivan Lins ballads, “Velas Icadas" and “Estrela Guia".

Musicians : Carol Saboya - vocals, Antonio Adolfo - piano, Claudio Spiewak - guitars, Jorge Helder - bass, Rafael Barata i drums, percussion, Dave Liebman - soprano and tenor sax, Hendrik Meurkens – harmonica

Tracks: Bola de meia bola de gude, Who is in love here (A Noite), Abre Alas, Tristesse, Beleza e Cancao, Anima, Soberana Rosa, Doce Presenca, Tarde, Tres Pontas, Velas Icadas, Estrela Guia