Alfredo Dias Gomes – “Looking Back”
Widor Santiago’s scorching saxophone immediately grabs the spotlight in “Red Baron”; it pushes the song forward with indelible hooks. Gomes’ powerful, punchy drums adds weight to the funky rhythms as guitarist Yuval Ben Lior’s ferocious riffs light up like fireworks. This is when a tribute transcends its initial mission; Gomes’ version of “Red Baron” proudly stands on its own.
The chemistry between Gomes and his band and guest artists fuel most of the album, which collects one highlight after another. Notice how Santiago’s sax and Gomes’ drumming gel into a single unit on Chick Corea’s “Spain”; it is absolutely spellbinding. Another Chick Corea cover, “500 Miles High,” provides a soothing respite. Lulu Martin’s lush bed of keyboards alternate between dreamy smoothness and unbridled joy. Gomes’ masterful drumming and Augusto Mattoso’s hypnotic acoustic bass define bliss.
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