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"Well done! Ms. Linder, who hails from Curacao, opens her discography with a winner. This one will evoke Astrud Gilberto or Lani Hall, but you'll walk away with a new imprint, as Ms. Linder's voice is unique. Alternating between English and Portuguese with ease, Ms. Linder demonstrates how she earned an advanced degree in Linguistics. The title track memorializes those lost in the 9/11 attack. My favorite tracks included a Paul Simon-penned gem I wasn't familiar with, 'St. Judy's Comet,' and being the sucker for standards that I am, the Billie Holiday classic 'God Bless The Child' and 'As Time Goes By.' First-rate production, and extended riffs by the backing musicians are never, ever an intrusion. If you like Brazilian beats, keep an eye on the label, too. Highly Recommended. Three microphones (out of four)." A few words from one of Brazil's most famous Radio DJs: "I'm so happy to announce that Sail Away With Me has been very well received by the listeners. As usually, by phone they chose their favorite tracks: Adeus batucada, Deixa, Song For My Father (Mr. Mossmanis simply superb!), That's All (my favorite track; your swing in this song is overwhelming ), I Don't Know and, of course, Manhã De Carnaval. Well, what can I say? It's simple: you are one of the best singers of our times. You sing the songs in a perfect touching way. In short: you are an amazing talent. Your Cd is a gift for us, jazz & bossa nova lovers. Last but not least, you worked with a talented group of musicians. The solos of Mr. Meurkens are simply breathtaking." With a Brazilian hug from your fan (Como abraço brasileiro de seu fã ), João da Penha "Vocalist Kerry Linder get right down to business
with her new disc. I particularly like her latin renditions which
communicate the interpretation of her renderings in a startling,
& vocally passionate manner There's something for everyone here,
something exotic, something mystical as well. Kerry helps us 'experience
the moment,' showing us the brilliance of the universe........And
thus, how truly eternal music really is." "Kerry Linder, another WOW! Her take on Horace
Silver' SONG FOR MY FATHER just blew me away. I received the CD
last Saturday morning and aired the song one hour later on my show,
Salsa and Latin Jazz con Sabor Latino, she will be a regular on
my playlists." "In a relaxed and gentle manner, Brazilian
singer Kerry Linder effortlessly mixes contemporary smooth jazz
sounds with the undercurrent of her homeland's warm and swaying
rhythms. The songs are similarly varied, mingling jazz standards
like Horace Silver's 'Song For My Father' with Luiz Bonfá's
'Manhã De Carnaval', Billie Holiday's 'God Bless The Child'
with Baden Powell's 'Deixa'. Kerry is accompanied by a fine supporting
group of instrumentalists, notably guitarist Paulo André
Tavares, bassist David Finck, cellist Erik Friedlander, drummer
Helio Schiavo, and percussionist Mauro Refosco, while the guest
soloists include saxophonist Paulo Levi and trumpeter Michael Philip
Mossman. Soft sounds for warm summer nights." "While Brazilian music doesn¹t attain
the same level of popularity it enjoyed in the United States in
the 1960¹s, fortunately the jewel-like preciousness of the
songs remains appreciated by numerous singers and musicians. You
can add Kerry Linder to the list of singers who are able to reveal
the insights and infinite appeal of Brazilian music. Sail Away With
Me is a gem of a recording performed by a singer who not only understands
the music, but also who has been captivated by it." "On an equal, albeit sonically different, plane is Kerry Linder’s Sail Away with Me. As a female vocalist offering distinctive, accessible performances of both familiar and new songs, Linder could quite easily eke out a spot next to Norah Jones and Katie Melua. Singing in Portuguese and English, the Curaçao native’s vocal style can be as haunting as Astrud Gilberto, as gay and sunny as Ella. Paulo André Tavares, who performed and arranged songs on Figueira’s album, has the same dual role here. His arrangements on Sail Away with Me have much in common with those on Brazilliance, but Linder has the diva-like presence that gives them an extra dose of appeal. She wraps Tavares’ music around herself like a mink coat or a stunning summer dress. The title track is a self-penned lament for the victims of the September 11 attacks. It evokes the overwhelming grief of that event and encourages optimism without slipping into the easy trap of sentimentalism that afflicts so much of the same. Assisted by rousing solos from trombonist Clark Gayton and saxophonist Anat Cohen, she tackles Baden Powell’s “Deixa” with verve, drifting between English and Portuguese. Horace Silver’s “Song for My Father” is rewarded with a warm, exotic rendition. The Paul Simon lullaby “St. Judy’s Comet” is cast in a folksier, world music light, complete with accordion. A swaying, samba-fied “As Time Goes by” closes the disc – just in case the listener has any lingering reservations about playing it again. Sail Away with Me has as much to offer the casual
listener as it does the discerning ear. It should go on to introduce
Linder to an audience far beyond the New York Brazilian jazz scene,
maybe even earning her that blessing and curse of mainstream radio
play. If only she retains the good sense to tell the Big Five where
to go when they come calling, promising riches and fame in exchange
for a major label deal. After Blue Toucan has given these artists
such an auspicious start – not to mention one for itself in
return – it’s safe to say that the label won't be keen
to see them leave anytime soon."
Track list: (click on song titles to hear mp3 excerpts) 1. Sail Away with Me (Kerry Linder) Blue
Toucan Music 3:32 Personnel: Kerry Linder - Vocals Helio Schiavo - Drums (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 & 8) Arrangements - Paulo André Tavares
Liner Notes:
There is a word in Portuguese that doesn’t
translate easily into English: Kerry Linder, a native of Curacao (the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles), invites you to ‘sail away’ to a mythical place with a collection of sensuous, soft, and gently swinging melodies. “Growing up in Curacao exposed me to the rich traditions of the Afro-Caribbean culture and music played an important part in my life,” says Kerry.
Her father, Felix Linder, is an accomplished concert violinist who played for many years with a popular quartet on the island and now resides in New York. Kerry’s versatility is demonstrated as she moves effortlessly between English and Portuguese. “I use language to convey the passion of the lyrics and to heighten the melodies of Paulo Andre Tavares’ sensitive arrangements.“ Paulo Andre, the guitarist accompanying Kerry, is an accomplished arranger and composer who regularly performs on the professional circuit in Brazil. This CD bears witness to his love of various musical styles, alternating between the old and the new with undertones of bossa, jazz, and blues. For Paulo Andre, improvisation is a form of composition. Kerry is joined by percussionist Mauro Refosco, who has recorded with David Byrne and The Lounge Lizards; bassist David Finck; drummer Helio Schiavo; cellist Erik Friedlander; harmonica-vibes player Hendrik Meurkens, who has appeared on several Brazilian jazz recordings since the early 1980s; trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman, Head of the Jazz Graduate Program at Queens College; saxophonist and flutist Paulo Levi, who was recently on tour with Bebel Gilberto; tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Cohen; trombonist Clark Gayton, who plays with Sting; and accordionist Bob Curto –- all highly acclaimed musicians in their own right and an integral part of the New York jazz scene. The CD kicks off with Kerry’s original composition and title track, “Sail Away With Me,” which is based on a poem that she wrote on the eve of the first anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. “I started to put down my feelings on paper and realized that what people need is music -– beautiful music, soothing music -- that will take them to a better place.” The lyrics are about a mythical place and there are references to various well-known songs from Jobim standards. The mood is enhanced by the plaintive tenor sax of Paulo Levi and the unusual sound effects created by David Finck on the upright bass (whales) and Eric Freidlander on cello (seagulls). The instantly recognizable bossa nova classic, “Deixa” (Let Me), was written by two Brazilian legends, the guitarist Baden Powell and poet/lyricist, Vinicius de Moraes. This version is pure jazz bossa and listen for the clever segue of another Baden composition, “Berimbau.” Notice also the sultry interplay between the trombone and tenor sax at the end. “This song is even more special as Helio Schiavo, who was Baden Powell’s drummer for many years, is playing with us.” “Adeus Batucada,” is a swinging samba featuring Mauro Refosco’s playful and improvisational percussive beat. Listen for the old fashioned typewriter keys being struck and the squeaks of the cuica (a small friction drum with a thin stick inside attached to the drumskin). “That’s All” An American classic, is played as a spirited bossa which features the percussive harmonica playing of Hendrik Meurkens. It almost sounds like the cuica and is pure magic! “Inquietacao” was written by the legendary composer Ary Barroso in 1935. Barroso is known for his elaborate harmonies and beautiful sambas that praise the beauty and richness of Brazil --- Kerry’s sensitive rendition is very much in the style of the old samba-cancao. “We recorded it alternating between the samba and baiao (a northeastern song style).” “Song For My Father” was composed by Horace Silver in 1964 and dedicated to his father who was of Cape Verdean descent.. It is played as a partido alto (type of urban samba with short refrains that singers follow with improvised verses) and Kerry’s duet-like scatting adds an interesting dimension. “Language and Love” is a splendid bossa
number composed by Joyce.. Replaying this tract, you will find it
more invigorating each time. It is a personal favorite! The classic samba, “Manha de Carnaval” (Morning of Carnival) was composed by Luiz Bonfa as the theme to the 1959 film Black Orpheus. This version is given a contemporary feel and the lyrics are soft and sinuous. The brilliant arrangement of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” is enhanced by Kerry’s serene and sultry blues bossa style. “I Don’t Know,” as Kerry explains, is appealing to the cross-cultural influences in this CD., “I wanted to record this as I felt that there was a real Brazilian feeling in the melody. It lends itself easily to this musical genre and we have recorded it as a baiao.” The final track, “As Time Goes By”, is a surprising jazz/bossa number showcasing the remarkable guitar playing of Paulo Andre. Have you ever heard a bossa version of this song? It certainly is a first for me! So relax, listen and enjoy the journey as you sail away with Kerry. Lorig Maranjian Listener Feedback RB: A
fun and whimsical voyage, adrift on a sea of hair raising harmonies
and richly layered instrumentation beneath the pristine blue skies
of Kerry's voice. At times an instrument all its own, the vocals
provide both exclamation and a gentle hand to cradle the listener
and guide them along the beautiful landscape that is Sail Away With
Me. Linder's rendition of God Bless the Child is a refreshingly
different approach to the mood and overall feel of the song which
goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks, so to speak. Of
particular interest and beauty to me was Adeus Batucada which manages
to be upbeat, melancholy, and gorgeous all at once. Whether you're
relaxing on a sunday or taking an imaginary vacation, watching the
Travel channel on mute while sipping on a pina colada in your bermuda
shorts and flip flops, Sail Away With Me is the perfect travel companion.
Bon voyage! |
God Bless The Child