Salvador

Henri Salvador is an 89-year-old with an extraordinary history. Born in French Guyana, he moved to France as a child, joined a dance orchestra as guitarist, and ended up working in Brazil, where his songs would later influence the work of the great Tom Jobim - the greatest composer of the bossa nova era of the late 1950s. Salvador also became a celebrity, and a TV personality back in France, and he now seems poised for unlikely international success. This new set was recorded in Paris, New York and (of course) Rio, where his producer was the great Jacques Morelenbaum, who has worked with everyone from Jobim to Mariza; they were joined by Brazilian stars Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. It's remarkable for Salvador's effortlessly clear, perfect vocals and equally unexpected range. Many of the songs are gently charming laid-back ballads, but there's also a swinging French-language treatment of Ray Charles, with Alleluia! Je l'Ai Dans la Peau. Alleluia, indeed.

Sal Salvador pays tributes to the jazz greats of his time - Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and others - but also serves things up at a level that's very much his own bag too! The album's got a spare, stripped-down groove that really suits Salvador's guitar well - giving Sal plenty of room to craft these round, warm lines that are full of color and tonal depth - often with a sense of rhythm that makes things groove, even when moving slowly. The group has just the right sort of balance to fit the mood that Sal's going for - with Eddie Costa on piano and vibes, Frank Dallas on bass, and Ronnie Free on drums. Titles include "Manteca", "Ruby My Dear", "Yardbird Suite", "Cool Eyes", "Taps Miller", and "Solos For Guitar".

Henri Salvador has the patina of a truly seasoned musician. His soft earthy voice shimmers like silky drops in the tropical sun. His placid sensual vocals put the listener at ease from the downbeat. In this finely crafted work, he continues in the same pleasurable vein, a mélange of jazz, tropical, and pop threads. He moves seamlessly from one style to another, as if he has done so for centuries.