Travels - Downbeat

Ben SidranDon’t Cry For NoHipsterNardisHHHHSome Boomers may claimBob Dylan, Joni Mitchellor Smokey Robinson asthe voice of their generation.Jazzers of a certain agemight well find themselvesdrawn to Ben Sidran to fill that role. He mixes the right amount of cynicismand self-satisfaction in this strong state-of-the-hipster document.Like Dave Frishberg and Mose Allison, Sidran makes great use ofcontemporary concepts to take swipes at where senior citizens findthemselves. On the grooving “Private Guy” he rejects the dominant tellallculture in favor of quietly getting on with things. This introspectionmight be a bit too solipsistic were it not for the sly humor in Sidran’svoice. The band also shines, particularly guitarist Will Bernard, whoweaves funky lines through the largely instrumental “Can We Talk”and burns in an understated style on “Private Guy.” Sidran explores aless ironic side with a bluesy take on spirituality (“In The Beginning”)and a straightahead interpretation of Thelonious Monk’s “Reflections.”Best of all is Sidran’s swaggering take on “Sixteen Tons,” which topsTennessee Ernie Ford’s signature version of the song and positions it asa timeless view of the hipster’s eternal struggle. —James HaleDon’t Cry For No Hipster: Back Nine; Brand New Music; Don’t Cry For No Hipster; At Least We GotTo The Race; Can We Talk; In The Beginning; It Don’t Get No Better; Dying Anyway; Private Guy;Reflections; Take A Little Hit; Sixteen Tons; Rich Interior Life; Hooglin’. (54:23)Personnel: Ben Sidran, piano, electric piano, organ, vocals; Will Bernard, guitar; John Ellis (2, 5, 14),Mark Shim (4, 10, 14), tenor saxophone; Tim Luntzel, Orlando Le Fleming (4, 8 11), bass; Leo Sidran,drums; Moses Patrou, percussion; Trixie Waterbed, vocals.Ordering info: bensidran.comMaucha Adnet/Helo AlvesMilagreZoho 201302HHHHMuacha Adnet’s third album as aleader groups together a numberof Brazilian jazz tunes, pairs herwith longtime collaborator HelioAlves and lets the duets speak forthemselves. Milagre presents ajazz vocalist at the height of her powers supported by a superlative soloistand encouraging accompanist. The two seem at home together, withAdnet’s deep alto dancing lightly over Alves’ precise rubato rhythms.The two give intimate, superb performances of compositions pennedby Antônio Carlos Jobim, Gilberto Gil and other masters. Adnet pickedup her innate understanding of the music while touring with Jobim formore than a decade, and her close study and countless performances arestamped on each tune. “Waters Of March” stands out as one of the onlyEnglish tunes on the disc but is also notable for the casual ease of tempo.The tune’s accompaniment skips along, never rushing, and Adnet is ableto lay on the back of the beat, nearly creating a rhythmic tension thatmakes the song one of the best on the record. The two also perform lesser-knownnumbers, such as the playful “April Child” and the breezy titletune. They seem to work best at a fast clip of a tempo, and the disc isfull of uptempo, danceable music, but ballads like “Desafinada” are alsobeautiful in their slower pace. —Jon RossMilagre: O Cantador; Eu Vim Da Bahia; Waters Of March; Gabriela; Retrato Em Branco E Preto;Coracao Vagabundo; Caminhos Cruzados; Vale Do Ribeira; Desafinada; Amor Infinito/Bons Amigos;Milagre; Tico-Tico No Fuba; Canto Triste; April Child. (57:26)Personnel: Maucha Adnet, vocals; Helio Alves: piano.Ordering info: zohomusic.comJUNE 2013 DOWNBEAT 79