The Brazilian jazz saxophonist, Victor Assis Brasil was born August 1945. Brasil studied at Berkley Music College, however passed away at the tender age of 35. His is the twin brother, classical pianist João Carlos Assis Brasil studied in London and remained very active until early 2000. Victor had released nine albums, with a respectful thirty credits to his name. 

I am fortunate to own an original 1976 pressing of the album Esperanto which features four of the five tracks on this re-release. The original does not include the track Children,  which is included as a bonus on this Far Out Recordings re-release.  Incidentally the same tracks feature on the 1999 album, The Legacy, released on the Atração Fonográfica label. So, there are still some original gems out there if vinyl digging is your thing. 

One fact remains undisputed; Far Out Recordings will release a restricted number of vinyl pressings, and competitively priced too! The CD release features an additional album, Toca Antonio Carlos Jobim. This is a double-whammy two for the price of one. Call this an early present to ones' self - so grab it whilst you can.

This album is full of highlights; there are no low-lights...

Ginger Bread Boy originally written and played by saxophonist Jimmy Heath and taken from his 1964 album, On The Trail, and was subsequently made famous by Miles Davis in 1967. Brasil adopted what was already considered hard-bop and morphed it to tungsten. Played and driven with the ferocity and breath-taking speed of a Formula One car, there is no standing still. Hélio Delmiro's fingers must have been smouldering on the verge of fire playing his guitar at the Vivace tempo. Brasil has made Ginger Bread Boy his own, which quite possibly makes this my track of the album. If you listen carefully from 3:45 during the guitar solo, the vocal excitement in the studio says it all.

Children is reminiscent of a scene from a retro detective movie; the meet-up in a dim lit bar off the beaten track where few dare to venture. Let your imagination take you through the haze of cigarette smoke; centre stage you will see Brasil and his soprano, playing with the skill of a head chef. Sharp and precise notes are sliced for your personal consumption. The pitch and timbres formed from the mouth of this genius could quite easily be mistaken for the trumpet embouchure enhancing the flavour of this musical feast.  

With its musical annotations and soothing waltz, Marila will surely seduce you like the snake charmer hypnotising a serpent. The melody is graceful and  Edison Lôbo champions a steady and compelling bass line; not overpowering, just at the right balance. Brasil was a genius - ahead of his time.

Quarenta Graus A Sombra may be considered too far out there for some, however, free-improv jazz is where it's at. The technical abilities of the artist are skilfully combined anticipating the next move of their brethren; akin to the grandmaster chess player. However, all the players in this house are on the same side.

Credits: 

Saxophone – Victor Assis Brasil

Bass – Edison Lôbo

Drums – Edison Machado

Guitar – Hélio Delmiro

Piano, Electric Piano – Dom Salvador

Producer – Roberto Quartin

Label: Far Out Recordings