PAPATAMUS REDUX

SUNNYSIDE RECORDS 1727  (RECORDED IN 2023)

Based on their performances on Jobim’s World, harmonica player Yvonnick Prene and pianist Geoffrey Keezer would be exceptional tango partners. According to one source, tango involves a leader and follower. The leader, through embraces, gives openings to the follower and the follower decides how best to respond. That’s exactly what Prene and Keezer do on this delightful recording of nine Jobim and Jobim-inspired tunes. At times, Prene takes the lead with his total command of the chromatic harmonica. Other times, Keezer leads the “dance” with his powerful and almost harp-like playing. Like dancers, they intertwine with tricky unison passages, breaking apart for some well-played solos, and then come back together in a musical embrace. The two virtuosos work their magic on familiar Jobim classics such as “Triste” and “Tide,” pieces written by Jobim peers such as Henri Salvador’s “Dans mon île” and Prene originals such as” Too Many Notes.”  The slower than normal tempo on the classic bossa novas “Girl from Ipanema” and “Desafinado” is not only refreshing, but provides an opportunity to savor the beauty of those melodies. You can’t tell from this recording that this was the first time Prene and Keezer met and worked together in the studio. The  simpatico relationship they quickly established is uncanny as they lead and follow each other through the dance called Jobim’s World.

BOTTOM LINE: They say it takes two to tango. It also takes two to create an amazing recording of tangos, bossa novas and other tunes created or inspired by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Like the dance itself, Prene and Keezer’s performance is vibrant and playful and filled with rich expression, improvisation and passion.