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In my role of Christmas music host, it is my honor and my pleasure to share rare treasures with others of similar bent. I am reminded how much I love that role whenever I stumble upon a recording such as A Brasilian Christmas. I was not familiar with any of these artists, but I was quite impressed with the quality of their work on this Astor Place compilation.

This was Brazilian-flavored jazz, much of it on guitar, with a mix of vocal and instrumental numbers, and loosely based on traditional Christmas tunes. I say "loosely" because these artists improvised freely on Christmas themes. Several times (such as the first time I listened to Air on a Six String), I found myself wondering just what song I was hearing.

It was easy to hear the influence of Carlos Jobim throughout the record. In fact, for those whose only lesson in Brasilian music is Jobim, this record is a good second lesson. In particular, I enjoyed the selections by the Jobim-influenced Joyce (especially Santa Claus is Coming to Town) and Dori Caymmi (The Christmas Song).

Other highlights included Ivan Lins, who performs the coolest White Christmas I've ever heard, and Gilson Peranzzetta, whose beautiful piano recording of Greensleeves almost stole the record.

This is one of those records that latin jazz fans will play from November to January.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2000)

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Various Artists

A Brasilian Christmas

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Track List