Half Notes: Mozik – Mozik (2011)

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A record of Brazilian jazz led by Brazilians and featuring three A.C. Jobim standards invites “been there, done that” responses, but the fresh, updated arrangements that pianist Gilson Schachnik and drummer Maurico Zottarelli apply to these and other well-worn tunes distinguishes Mozik from other such excursions into this style. Both are from Brazil but grew up listening to and preferring other forms of music like fusion, blues, rock and heavy metal. It’s only after both arrived in Boston separately on Berklee scholarships that they began to appreciate the music of their homeland. It’s an appreciation that comes out on this record informed with the tastes they developed for American styles of music, especially early fusion. You can hear echoes of Return To Forever, Mk I and Herbie Hancock Headhunters on tunes spanning the Schachnik original ”Web’s Samba” to Hancock’s “Eye Of The Hurricane.” Everywhere, they take melancholy melodies and make them festive, even on Jobim’s “Desafinado” and Monk’s “Pannonica.” Helped along by bassist Fernando Huergo, guitarist Gustavo Assis-Brasil and flautist Yulia Musayelyan, the sprite, glistening arrangements sets a mood and tone that sets Mozik a little bit apart from run-of-the-mill cover-heavy Brazilian jazz records.

Mozik goes on sale October 28. ‘Half Notes’ are quick-take thoughts on music from Something Else! Reviews, presented whenever the mood strikes us.

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S. Victor Aaron