A real find, this; Amaro Freitas is a pianist from the tropical northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco with a chewy, percussive playing style, a knack for dazzling mathematical patterns and a backstory that would have talent show judges in bits. Having learned piano in church, aged 12, the young Amaro was accepted to study at the local conservatorio but his family were unable to afford the bus fare; having practiced on imaginary tabletop keys to a DVD of Chick Corea he graduated to playing piano in local restaurants and became sought after for his lighting fast timing and meticulously formulated patterns redolent of finger-flying Brazilian Hermeto Pascoal. This second album, a collection of nine originals, sees Freitas flanked by reeds, horns, percussion and double-bass as he steers the way through tunes that touch on homegrown rhythms including the frenetic, carnival-esque frevo and baião; first single ‘Mantra’ is a playful rollick made insistent by rolling drums, smashed keys and a single futuristic, metronomic note. ‘Plenilúnio’, another highlight, mesmerises with flute trills, deep bass notes, and keyboard runs that crash, tumble and creep. Breathtaking stuff from a rising A-lister.