Hi
a review for last Hendrik's CD on air in the next few days on
RADIOVINILEMANIA in Italy:

http://www.vinilemania.net/vHENDRIKMEURKENS.htm

Ciao ciao Pietro

courtesy: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/

Amazon River
Hendrik Meurkens | Blue Toucan Music (2005)
By Jim Santella comments print email license

With a session of originals and established Brazilian songs,
Hendrik Meurkens pays homage to the music that moves him. His guests
play a large part in helping the harmonica virtuoso create a
recommended album that accurately describes those feelings. He soars
high and low, swooping effortlessly around melodic fragments that
belie the rustic impression of a land where no one has to hurry to
get things done. Simple, yet filled with exotic undercurrents, the
music fills a need that we all share.

Uptempo sambas and laid-back bossa novas provide fuel for Meurkens'
fire. He interprets Jobim's "Passarim" passionately with an emphasis
on linear melodic lines that move gracefully up and down. Like the
slow-moving river of Brazil and its lush green landscapes, he
surrounds the motion of his harmonica with acoustic jazz timbres and
gently rolling rhythms. Pianist Helio Alves covers each melody with
swank harmonic convergence, while bassist Nilson Matta adds a
foundation that's more felt than heard. Together with drummer Duduka
da Fonseca, they lift Meurkens' melodies on this festive affair.


Oscar Castro-Neves and Dori Caymmi provide heartfelt vocals to match
the leader's interpretations. Another significant force on their
quest for homage is the clarinet of Paquito D'Rivera, who captures
an authentic folk atmosphere on several tracks. Together, they've
captured the eclectic romance of Brazilian music. Playing both
harmonica and vibraphone on "Ela é Carioca," Meurkens expresses his
sincere appreciation for the mood that Amazon River connotes. It's a
relaxed setting with hearty mainstream jazz built right in.



Track listing: Mountain Drive; Amazon River; Menina na Janela;
Passarim; Ela é Carioca; Lingua de Mosquito; O Cantador; Meu Canário
Vizinho Azul; The Peach; Sem Vocę; Piano na Mangueira.

Personnel: Hendrik Meurkens: harmonica; Helio Alves: piano; Nilson
Matta: bass; Duduka da Fonseca: drums, percussion; Oscar Castro-
Neves: guitar, vocals; Paquito D'Rivera: clarinet; Dori Caymmi:
vocal, guitar; Zé Mauricio, Jorge Amorim, Cassio Duarte: percussion;
Pedro Ramos: cavaquinho; Robson Cerqueira: bandolim (3); Guilherme
Monteiro: guitar (3).

Style: Latin/World