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Track list: 1. Mountain Drive (Hendrik Meurkens) Produced by Oscar Castro-Neves and Hendrik Meurkens Personnel: Hendrik
Meurkens, harmonica and vibes (on ‘Ela é Carioca’) Helio Alves, piano Recorded March, May and June 2004 Visit Hendrik Meurkens' Website Critics and fans alike have celebrated the "new jazz harmonica voice" of Hendrik Meurkens, a voice that has become synonymous with the related genres of sambajazz and sambafunk. Recording and touring with a who's who of jazz stars, including Herb Ellis, Lionel Hampton and Phil Woods, Meurkens has gone on to win the hearts and minds of Latin music lovers as well, working with such big names as Ivan Lins, Charlie Byrd, Herbie Mann and Manfredo Fest. Born in Germany, Meurkens graduated from Berklee College of Music, lived in Brazil during the early '80s, eventually moved to New York in 1992, where he quickly established himself as the important counterpart to Toots Thielemans. A virtuoso vibes player and a successful composer, he's been invited to many of the major jazz festivals, is a regular in New York jazz clubs and has recorded 11 CDs as a leader. Produced by Meurkens and Castro-Neves, Amazon River's 11 cuts provide the listener with irresistible musical trips in a variety of settings. Highlights include Caymmi's haunting vocals on his "O Cantador" and "Amazon River," D'Rivera's sprightly clarinet work on Meurkens' "The Peach" and "Lingua de Mosquito" (spiced up in the Chorinho style) and Castro-Neves' guitar and vocals on Antonio Carlos Jobim's imagistic "Ela e Carioca" and "Sem Voce." Also on board is Meurkens' longtime pianist Helio Alves along with bassist Nilson Matta, percussionist Duduka Da Fonseca, among many others. According to Meurkens, the music of Brazil is perfect for his main instrument. "As I get older and more mature," he says, "I appreciate the songs and beauty of the music, not needing the long solos I associate with jazz. If you look at Toots back in the '50s, he had all these long-blowing albums, but later on he gets to the beauty of the song. It is tied in with my whole approach to music, the music of Brazil in particular, where I found a bed, a cushion, that is right for the harmonica. I had to find that out the hard way-through many bebop jam sessions." Speaking of bebop, Meurkens adds, "Those three tunes in the Chorinho style-'Menina na Janela,' 'Lingua de Mosquito' and 'The Peach'-are extremely demanding of the soloist, like playing Bach. Like me, Paquito also has a love for Chorinho, and he was a natural choice to be on this project. That style is very popular among musicians. It is like Bach and Charlie Parker, playing over difficult changes. With someone who loves bebop, it's like swinging Bach. Any music lover will react to that kind of music." As for Amazon River's genesis, "The tunes accumulated over the years," Meurkens states. "The album wasn't really planned. There was a tour in March, 2004, and from there it just developed into an album. We wondered if we could record it. My four tunes were already there. We wanted some Jobim tunes. Oscar wanted Dori's 'O Cantador.' I am honored that Oscar is on it. I think this album is my most complete work. It still has jazz improvisation in it, but it also covers many styles in Brazilian music; we have percussion, singing, different settings. Each song has different setting, different soloists." With Amazon River, we truly realize Hendrik Meurkens' mission: "I have to do this. It is my call. It's as if I was born there, in Rio. I am not afraid of the beauty of Brazilian music. I am getting older, and I know what I want. I have been told that my music makes people cry. I get to the point where I play what I would like to hear as a listener. It's about songs, songs, songs! The other stuff is really secondary." Chris May reviewed Amazon River in All About Jazz "When the great wordsmith in the sky invented the word “gorgeous” She might have been thinking of this album, a celebration of all that is lovely about Brazilian music, from samba and choro through bossa nova and jazz...49 minutes rarely pass so quickly--but you can always hit the repeat button. I've been doing that all afternoon. " Click here to read the complete review. Coluna The Brasilians - ODDS AND ENDS - by Ernest Barteldes "German-born harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens has had a love affair with Brazil- where he took residence in the early 80s - for years, and his new CD, "Amazon River"(Blue Toucan Music) is evidence of that. In this amazing jazz release, he is joined by Dori Caymmi, Oscar-Castro Neves(who produced the recording), and other Brazilian musicians in a blend of original songs and personal renditions of tunes by Jobim, Oscar Castro Neves and others. The beautiful title track, with the harrowing vocals and guitar by Caymmi are reason enough to buy the album in the first place. Just Castro-Neves' guitar and Meurkens's harmonica are enough in "Sem Você", a composition by Jobim." Germain Linares reviewed Amazon River in the Bay area edition of All About Jazz ""...Meurkens claims to have a strong affnity towards Brazil, its culture and its music. On Amazon River, he finally fulfills his desire to express himself thorugh the land he so dearly adores." Dick Metcafe reviewed Amazon River for Jazz Improv: "Hendrik Meurkens - AMAZON RIVER: I've only heard a few jazz CD's that featured harmonica before... this one is a favorite after only 3 spins... Mr. Meurkens plays with real energy & I think the harmonica adds a somehow "familiar" touch that makes it easy for him to draw the listener "into his fold". If your ears are looking for radical improv, this won't fit the bill... it feels like "homespun"... but Hendrik is clearly a genius at "the weave". The compositions have a distinctly Latin feel to them, probably because the players on it (besides Hendrik) are from Brazil. One of the best parts of the album (for me) is that Meurkens has so many originals on the release... as those of you who read this section regularly know, my ears always favor original over covers... 4 out of 11 cuts belong to him - "Mosquito Tongue" (cut 6) is my absolute favorite track on the album! Listeners who want to hear jazz with a different twist will fall in love with this CD immediately - I give it a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!" Richard Bourcier reviewed Amazon River for jazzreview.com: "...Fans of Brazilian jazz will love this record..." Click here to read the complete review. Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower reviewed Amazon River for her website, Roberta on the Arts: "If you can’t get to Rio, here’s a full Brazilian Carnivale all in one CD. With Brazilian Samba in a variety of rhythms and motifs, Amazon River creates a series of moods, melancholy to mesmerizing. Hendrik Meurkens has gathered the who’s who of Brazilian and Latin jazz for this must-own recording, with surprise vocals, eclectic percussion, and Meurkens, himself, on harmonica and vibes, two all too rarely heard instruments. " Click here to read the complete review. Ken Dryden in the All Music Guide: "Hendrik Meurkens grew up in Germany and attended Berklee College of Music in the United States, but his primary musical passion has long been Brazilian music. Already a virtuoso on harmonica (and the first serious rival to Toots Thielemans on the instrument), he is in terrific form throughout this session. Meurkens gathered a number of the top Brazilian players to join him, featuring the well-known vocalist and guitarist Doryi Cayimmi on a brisk, passionate take of "Amazon River" and the equally warm "O Cantador." Another popular Brazilian guitarist, Oscar Castro-Neves, guests on two of Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions, the samba "Piano Na Manqueira" and "Ela é Carioca," while Cuban clarinetist Pacquito D'Rivera trades licks with the leader in the joyful choro "Lingua de Mosquito." Meurkens also doubles on vibes on one track. This is a delightful date from start to finish." John Stevenson-Ejazznews.com: "Jazz harmonica specialist Meurkens has nurtured a passion for Brazilian music for many years. Amazon River is the fruit of this love, helped along by a core of premier pianist Helio Alves, drummer Duduka Da Fonseca and bassist Nilson Matta. They do justice to tunes written by Dori Caymmi, Jobim, Chico Buarque and Toninho Horta." Luis Tamargo - Latin Beat Magazine: "Before recording more than ten solo albums on both sides of the Altlantic, Hendrik Muerkens- harmonicist of full journey and vibraphonist of partial journey renews his lasting romance with the principal brazilian genres (Choro, Samba, Bossa Nova) in the CD-Amzon River, an irresistible crossroads between four original themes and seven old or contemporary standards that demonstrate why the harmonica of native past of Hamburg, a city of Holland has converted into a synonomous of Brazilian jazz. In addition to the indispensable rhythm triumvirate integrated by brazilian veterans of the most recent European tour (Helio Alves, Nilson Matta, and Duduka da Fonseca), Muerkens can also count on quite a few invitees of high caliber, including the hypnotizing vocalist/guitarist “carioca’ Don Caymni, and the illustrious Cuban clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera and the imaginative guitarist/arranger/vocalist Oscar Castro Neves, surviving icon of the bossa nova that also figures as a a co-producer of the album. Also like Toots Thielemans, Meurkens, has discovered, sooner rather than later, that the brazilian music constitutes the perfect expressive vehicle of his perferred instrument." D. Oscar Groomes - O's Place Jazz Newsletter: O's Notes: Amazon River opens with “Mountain Drive” and we are immediately put into that relaxing Brazilian carma. Hendrick's harmonica solo feels just right and Helio Alves complements him well tickling the ivories with and establishing the mood. This is a strong lineup including Duduka Da Fonseca (d), Oscar Castro-Neves (g) and Nilson Matta (b). Just sit back and enjoy the vibe. Jim Santella - All About Jazz: "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." James Lamperetta – The Saratogian: “Recommended listening from jazz fest….Amazon River on which the harmonica master explores the fertile musical ground of Brazil, from the samba to the chorinho and, of course, the bossa nova Meurkens is
no stranger to Brazilian music, and this project is the outgrowth
of his lifelong love of the genre, having been attracted as a boy
in Germany to the music’s seductive, sultry rhythms and lilting
melodies. At first glance
the harmonica may seem like an unlikely candidate for this style,
but Meurkens’ performances are done with such authority and
warmth that this seemingly disparate marriage works like a charm.” |