Recordings of Portraits of Brazil @ Kleine Audiowelt
EPK
Portraits of Brazil
Four years ago, newly discovered
in Germany, the outstanding Belgian singer Caroll Vanwelden
catapulted herself into the limelight amid much celebration and
acclaim. “As a singer, pianist and perhaps most importantly as a
composer, the graduate of the London Guildhall School of
Music and Drama, shows both original and new ways to
entrance music lovers”, enthused Mauretta Heinzelmann and the
exceptional CD’s released in 2012 en 2014 were chosen as
“Album of the week” by the North German broadcasting company
(NDR). Not less impressed was Thomas Hintze of “Stereo”
magazine, who awarded her CD’s as "CD and Audiophile
Highlight of the Month".
After releasing five albums
under her own name, this belgian musician shows her great
passion for Brazilian songs on her latest album and
interpreted Brazilian songs in her own and unique way. Caroll
Vanwelden has performed already in French, Dutch, English,
German and Spanish. For this project, she also learned
Portuguese so that she could record her favorite songs in
the original language.
Since her youth, Caroll is an
avid fan of Ivan Lins and Joao Gilberto, and "Elis
& Tom" (Elis Regina and Tom Jobim) belongs to her absolute
favorite CDs. The way how Brazilian artists play harmonically
and rhythmically complex songs and always exude an effortless
ease, has always fascinated her and inspired her a lot.
"Brazilian music has something very cute, intimate and
familiar for me, it is very intense and melancolic
at the same time and that’s just the way I wanted my album
to sound like." discribes Caroll.
Deliberately she has therefore opted for a reduced cast:
guitar, bass and drums. Carolls musical life motto "less is
more" characterizes the acoustic sound of the album. The
fact that the musicians know each other very well and are
longtime friends is clearly reflected in the intimate and warm
atmosphere of the recording. The subtle and very musical
accompaniment of Hans Van Oost supports her warm and
expressive vocals, while Mario Vermandel plucks his bass
in a very groovy way. Luc Vanden Bosch takes care for the
accentuation of Brazilian rhythms, and uses different percussion
in addition to drums which also contributes to the amazing
richness of the sound of the band.
With "Portraits of Brazil”,
Caroll Vanwelden presents once more on an emotional, rich and
lively way, her seemingly endless supply of creativity.
“Caroll Vanwelden has once
again produced a little jewel for jazz lovers around the world.”
