Jazz breaking news: Marcelo Andrade reveals epic vision at The Forge

This launch features 17 players in total, but it gives a fair idea of the stylistic scope and, perhaps more importantly, the high playing standard on the CD. The rhythm section is brilliantly anchored by percussionist Adriano Adewale while saxophonist-flautist Giuliano Santos Pereira combines to good effect with Andrade when he switches from acoustic guitar to reeds, particularly when the two launch into the flickering wood flute duet of ‘Sambura’. It evokes the spirit of Egberto Gismonti deep in Amazonia. Samba, enriched with soul and jazz, is the foundation of Andrade’s music, but his lengthy sojourn in Africa and absorption of some of its myriad genres filters into the composing with a fair amount of creativity, the highpoint of which is the swinging township jive flavour that marks some of the upbeat horn choruses.

Guest players, from singers to guitarists, arrive thick and fast, and at one point the performance becomes a touch disjointed, particularly when the logistics of cramming extra chairs and sheet music stands on to a relatively small stage proves to be a challenge that perhaps the leader hadn’t anticipated. Less could have arguably been more. Yet Andrade has impressive range as a songsmith, and his smart blend of wistful romance (‘Barrigua D’aguo’) and aggressive, elephantine funk (‘Foge Kudu’) struck a chord with a very vocal audience. Furthermore, bandleaders who can convincingly move from vocal and guitar to flute to saxophone to violin are exceptions rather than rules. It would be interesting to see what music Andrade produces if he channels his abundance of energy and ideas into a smaller ensemble, but this ultimately enjoyable gig served notice of a very substantial talent.

– Kevin Le Gendre