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Guitarist
Marc Antoine and pianist David Benoit are both intriguing
personalities of the smooth jazz genre. Together they are the surprise
packet of the year 2017. So Nice! is their fiery contagious
portrait of Latin jazz.
David Benoit performs on this album piano and Rhodes, Marc Antoine acoustic and electric guitars, John “JR” Robinson drums, Ken Wild bass and Luis Conte percussion. Most of the tracks are composed by David Benoit or Marc Antoine, some by other composers.
Anyone who has visited a café in Paris, estimates the flair and the atmosphere of this environment, the view on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées with all its activities. French Café is in contrast to the title no tribute to this institution, but more a mirror of Antoine's development and affinity for Spanish music. Inspired by the Bossa Nova rhythm Benoit and Antoine sink deeply into the magic of their interplay.
Each combines his personal vision with a Penthouse in Copacabana. For me it is not figuratively one of the hottest places on earth. Embedded in Latin rhythm guitar and piano sway along the beach. Só Danço Samba means I only dance Samba. An exhilarating piece in the traditional Samba rhythm with a large dose of vitality.
Caminando (walking) intelligently bridges the sensitive interface between rhythm and melody resonating the movements of your feet. Some swifter steps are included and owed Benoit's virtuosity. Everybody knows A Café Au Lait (one milk coffee) and also the luxury car Bentley. But A Café Au Lait Bentley is and stays the own creation of David Benoit. Both key players of this album enjoy this composition. That's for sure.
All Said & Done is the acoustic centerpiece of the album with a wealth of detail, full of nuances and with all the complexity and subtlety only professional musicians are capable. The key to any good tune is melody. Rio Deluxe delivers a fine Samba tuned song featuring Marc's acoustic guitar as sonorous lead instrument. Puma Trail was composed by keyboardist Dave Kochanski who has worked with a plethora of smooth jazz musicians. Conceptually, the piece of music is designed as Spanish madrigal.
Summer Samba better known as So Nice is a 1964 Bossa Nova song by Brazilian composer Marcos Valle with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. Marc and David reinterpret the song following the free flowing Latin rhythm in a skillful and familiar way. Algarve is David Benoit's ode to the southernmost region of continental Portugal. On this Spanish flavored tune both musicians adore the mysterious glow of this area and its landscape idyll shining in best known perfection.
Marc Antoine and David Benoit display on So Nice! a musical cohesion of two virtuosos in a lyrical walking through the magic land of Latin jazz.
Buy the album in all stores
Album Information
Title: So Nice!
Artist: David Benoit and Marc Antoine
Year: 2017
Genre: Latin Jazz
Label: Shanachie Entertainment Records
Tracks:
1. French Café
2. Penthouse in Copacabana
3. Só Danço Samba
4. Caminando
5. A Café Au Lait Bentley
6. All Said & Done
7. Rio Deluxe
8. Puma Trail
9. So Nice
10. Algarve
Further reviews:
Marc Antoine
My Classical Way
Hi-Lo Split
Mediterrano
ForeignXchange
Benoit
Earthglow
