SÃO PAULO SKA JAZZ — São Paulo Ska Jazz (review)

SÃO PAULO SKA JAZZ — São Paulo Ska Jazz album cover Album · 2009 · World Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
js
I have to admit I don’t know a whole lot about this band, but I was introduced to their music on the internet and came away very impressed. Sao Paulo Ska Jazz is a group of eight Brazilian musicians who are apparently very experienced in playing everything from Afro-Cuban jazz to hard rock and everything in between. On their debut album they play high energy instrumental ska music that is blended with all the different styles of their collective experience. When I say ska music, don’t think of that hyper music for kids played by those lacking good musical chops. As mentioned earlier, these guys are veterans who play a brand of ska that is funky and soulful, but still hyped with modern high energy tempos when needed.

The band’s ability to mix ska with many different styles in an authentic way is impressive; “Skaiao” has a bossa nova flavor, while “Sao Paulo” is roots rock steady, on “Em Algum Lugar da America” they go Afro-Cuban and “A Torre” is pure funk. None of these stylistic changeups sound gratuitous or phony, and everything is tied together with a strong feel for jazz improvisation. All of the horn soloists are good and keyboardist Thiago Sousa occasionally uses analog synths for an exotic solo sound. Guitarist Renato Guizelini can also kick it solo-wise with an aggressive distorted rock sound. With the next ska revival always lurking around the corner, there’s always plenty of really cheezy ska music to avoid, but don’t avoid these guys, they’re awreet.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Bow Code Post-Fusion Contemporary
SAMPO HIUKKANEN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Anthem For No Man’s Land Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ANDREAS SCHAERER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Cabaret Eclectic Fusion
MARIUS NESET
Buy this album from MMA partners
Living Ghosts Post-Fusion Contemporary
MICHAEL WOLLNY
Buy this album from MMA partners
Live at Donte's, Vol. 1 Vocal Jazz
MIKE CAMPBELL
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Sunday afternoon
FURIO DI CASTRI
snobb· 8 hours ago
Harmônicos
FABIANO DO NASCIMENTO
js· 22 hours ago
Con Alma
GENE BERTONCINI
js· 1 day ago
Our Walk (Live)
BEN MARKLEY
js· 1 day ago
Solar (feat. Vicente Archer & Otis Brown III)
JERRY LÉONIDE
js· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed