Torcuato Mariano

Brazilian jazz guitar by way of Buenos Aires

Brazilian Sound

Lift Me Up (CD)
by Torcuato Mariano

Born in Buenos Aires, he moved to Brazil when he was fourteen and started his music studies. That was the beginning of an incredibly successful career as a cornerstone of the Brazilian music scene and an international phenomenon. Guitarist Torcuato Mariano has just released his fourth solo project, the delightful Lift Me Up. The rhythms of Brazil are some of the most entrancing and infectious in all of music, and Mr. Mariano caresses his own beautiful melodies to accompany these rhythms here. The result is stunning, as he moves easily from acoustic to electric, from bossa to funk and hip hop, always with taste and that incredibly smooth signature Mariano touch we've come to recognize and love ever since we heard his debut release, "Paradise Station" in 1992. The first radio single from this album is the title track, and it's solid electric guitar-driven Smooth Jazz, with some fine tenor work from sax man Marcelo Martins. I basically like every track on this disc, but "Wake Up" is especially intriguing, with a certain Metheny-esque quality to it. Then there's "Black and Blue," with Torcuato on nylon string and electric guitars, and special guests from Yellowjackets present and past Jimmy Haslip on bass, Russell Ferrante on keyboards, and drummer William Kennedy. This is World-class top-drawer Brazilian jazz at its most compelling, and I think Torcuato Mariano has outdone himself with LIFT ME UP. This could very well be his best effort to date. It's one of those "gotta have it's"! --Scott O'Brien
 

Diary
(2004)

If Torcuato Mariano's previous CD, Last Look, had been vinyl, I would have gone through a couple of copies by now. The 1995 CD has been a several-times weekly, if not daily, pleasure for driving, listening and working. I waited patiently for this new release, then had to wait a couple of days extra as my record store tried to locate the one copy they had in stock (apparently the only copy in town). I've had a couple of days to listen and have found much to enjoy. The first track 'May' is a pleasant medium tempo song with sitar featured during the verse and interesting chord changes in the chorus. The song also features the wordless singing that was present all over 'Last Look'. 'Blue Bossa' follows, with some very nice acoustic piano work and two percussionists on hand. 'Paula' has a strong synth presence in the rhythm track, and the title track 'Diary' took me back immediately to the previous CD's 'Everything I Couldn't Say With Words', which is to say I enjoyed it immensely. 'The Mission' is almost meditative, with nice work on fretless bass and strings. 'High Frequency' has a nice chorus reminiscent of 'A Very Special Place' (from Last Look). I'll mention one other track, 'Ship'. It has a techno feel with drum loops and reminded me a bit of Marc Antoine (the acoustic guitar) and Wes Montgomery (during the electric solo). Although I've only had the time for a couple of run-throughs, I have no doubt this will be, in time, as treasured as Last Look. --an Amazon reviewer
 

Last Look
 

Paradise Station
[ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]