For many centuries the sea-bound Portuguese have been looking across the ocean. In the wake of their role in history, a wide and exciting multicultural network arose that is very much alive until today, first of all in music. The vivid rhythmical and melodious universe between Lisbon, the lusophone African countries and Brazil has always fascinated the guitarist Joel Xavier. Having just successfully anchored his latest opus in New York – in collaboration with his prominent duo-partner Ron Carter -, he now shifts focus to the pulsating dynamics of south-atlantic regions with his new album Saravá. Xavier”s live-record debut also marks his return to the electric jazz guitar. On this live-recording I perform with a powerful trio, explains Joel Xavier, and any acoustic guitar would have been drowned out. So what I needed was a more present, but at the same time smooth sound, to make it easier for the audience to understand the improvisation lines. Xavier resumes the times prior to his balladic acoustic-trilogy, when he and his guest-musicians recorded the album Latin Groove on the premises of Arturo Sandoval in Miami during the early storm- and stress days of his career. It had been his first fusion of Latin- and Afro-rhyhtms then, to be continued now upon other terms. This time, I am telling my story rather from the view of a Portuguese, who points out the strong impact of african and brazilian influences upon every day of his life. That project has been on my mind for ages.

Track Listing

• Ginga
• Morabeza
• Batucada
• Bamba
• Jindungo
• Mandinga
• Elsita
• Ijexá
• Carnaval
• Saravá

Additional Details

Label: Bayla Records

Genre: Latin

Run Time: 2.3125 mins

Release Date: 06/26/09

UPC: 4250095820052