Flying Chicken (Sony Music Brasil)
Hamilton De Holanda Trio
Released April 14, 2023
Latin Grammy 2023 Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album Nominee
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k1GGMM8md7AhzkuDR-ezheJ8-qXkgN0fo
Spotify:
About:
The word alone: pure poetry! “Bandolim” is the Portuguese word for mandolin. And the greatest poet among Brazil’s numerous mandolin players is Hamilton de Holanda, who elicits previously undreamed-of sounds from the instrument like no other.
Only eight strings on the mandolin? No, that’s not for Hamilton de Holanda. For the 47-year-old musician from Rio de Janeiro, just ten strings are enough to realize his idea of an instrument that should express both harmonic and rhythmic facets. This only does justice to the so incredibly complex work of an Antônio Carlos Jobim, which Holanda approaches boldly and virtuously with his trio. Rarely can the bossa nova à la Jobim be experienced more intensely.
Track Listing:
1. Flying Chicken (Hamilton de Holanda) 4:34
2. Sol e Luz (Hamilton de Holanda) 7:48
3. Barulhinho de trem (Hamilton de Holanda) 5:53
4. Because of our strong love (Hamilton de Holanda) 5:57
5. Paz no mundo (Hamilton de Holanda) 2:43
6. Endlessly (Hamilton de Holanda / Michael League) 7:05
7. Erezin (Hamilton de Holanda) 4:42
8. O som vai conduzir (Hamilton de Holanda / Xande de Pilares) 6:31
Personnel:
Hamilton de Holanda: mandolin, clapping, voice
Salomão Soares: piano, Fender Rhodes, Mini-moog, Nord
Thiago Big Rabello: percussion
Ricardo ‘Frango’: voice (track 1)
Recorded at Estúdio Da Pá Virada (São Paulo) by Big Rabello
Studio Assistants: Fred Pacheco and Silvio Romualdo with Fellipe Cabral
Mastering: André Dias
Cover photo and Design: Bruno Filipe and Pedro ‘TheZakMan’ Araujo
Produced by Hamilton de Holanda & Marcos Portinari
Review:
As much as you might expect this album to sound like an animal circus with the album cover and silly title, Hamilton puts on a mostly sophisticated display of his talents on his thirty-fifth album. He plays the with a rapid fire pace that barely gives the listener a chance to breathe. His performances are freeform but melds so perfectly with the drums and piano that tend to keep the rhythm. But even they have their solos where take off, playing with an energy that is exhausting and irresistible. Without a doubt, this group will have you captivated from the first second.
Perhaps it is the speed and abstract style that makes it difficult to listen to at times. Your brain will try to keep up with the instruments so much that you will often find yourself frustrated, even at its most charming. The fast pace is clearly their strength, sounding out of character when the tempo slows down. Flying Chicken is a lovely experience, just make sure you have the energy for it.
