Hamilton de Holanda
Música das nuvens e do chão
Velas, Spain

With New Words, Appalachian old-timey music meets Brazilian choro in the hands of two immensely talented artists who first met at the French "Mandolines des Lunel" festival, taking the instrument in its multiple manifestations back to its European origins. From Rio de Janeiro but with nordestino roots, and presently a denizen of Paris, Hamilton de Holanda (10-string bandolim-the distinctive teardrop-shaped Brazilian mandolin, Irish bouzouki) first emerged with Dois de Ouro, a duo with guitarist Fernando César, his brother. Mike Marshall (mandolin, mandocello, tenor guitar; best known for his work with Darol Anger and Psychograss) has been exploring Brazilian music for some time with Choro Famoso, Hermeto Pascoal, and Jovino Santos Neto, among others.

Moreover, Marshall's Adventure Music label has recorded numerous Brazilian artists, so New Words is a natural pairing. Recorded at Marshall's Gatorland Studio (Oakland, California), this title blends choros by Jacob do Bandolim, Garoto, de Holanda, Ernesto Nazareth, Hermeto Pascoal, and Pixinguinha, with bluegrass standards and contemporary tunes by Marshall and Bela Fleck. Also included is a live DVD of three tracks: "Receita de samba," "Blackberry Blossom," and an astounding and joyous interplay on "Brejeiro" (a Portuguese word variously translated as "loafer," "rascal" or "coquette").

Logged in early 2004, Música das nuvens e do chão, de Holanda's first effort as a group leader on bandolim, brings together Daniel Santiago (violão or classical guitar), André Vasconcellos (contrabass, fretless bass), and Márcio Bahia (drums). Guests include Gabriel Grossi (gaita or harmonica) on Piazzolla's "Contramilonga a la funerala" and the sprightly Hermeto Pascoal title track, along with Yamandú Costa (7-string violão) on the alternately tender and brisk album-closing de Holanda composition "Estações." One listen to the Ernesto Nazareth classic "Odeon" or the breakneck bandolim picking on the memorable Guinga title "Baião de Lacan" will confirm de Holanda as a premier contender to inherit the mantle of the choro greats. Their next release, Brasilianos by the Hamilton de Holanda Quinteto (adding Grossi as a regular member, in an essay on the work of Egberto Gismonti, Milton Nascimento, Hermeto Pascoal, Baden Powell and Pixinguinha), holds immense promise for anyone fascinated with world mandolin and the Brazilian popular repertoire. - Michael Stone

Holanda's web site: www.hamiltondeholanda.com

Adventure Music titles available from CD Baby and cdRoots

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