This
is an album by one of the greatest geniuses of the history of the electric
guitar. Lanny Gordin is, without a doubt, among the biggest international
rock and jazz heroes of the instrument. In the sixties, he was the most
creative and exuberant guitarist in Brazil, contributing to give an
identity to the Tropicália movement.
A unique work, the album
which you now hold in your hands is the result of the collective work
and the affectionate and musical involvement of a special group of musicians.
Accompanying Lanny are some of the best instrumentalists in the country:
Fábio Sá on bass (he played on Maria Rita´s debut
album), Guilherme Held on guitar and Zé Aurélio on drums
and percussion, and as guest musicians Márcio Negri on sax and
Bocato on trombone. Lanny, whose father recently passed away, came upon
a new family as well as a supergroup with this band.
Recently, after a long
and unjust period of public withdrawl, Lanny was reborn on an album
recorded and released by Baratos Afins, under the exemplary and dedicated
direction of Luiz Calanca. The album garnered praise from critics around
the country, but mainly helped to re-introduce Lanny to the musical
scene, often, unfortunately, ungrateful to its better artists.
Now, with this new release
Projeto Alfa, Lanny has reaffirmed his unfailing talent in a superb
way. The playfully named tunes have brought a freshness and inventiveness
equal to those of the greatest jazz masters. The tunes comprise of themes,
jazz pieces, sambas and other rhythms, all bringing Lanny´s unmistakable
trademark psychedelic guitar work.
But best of all is that
Lanny´s return with Projeto Alfa is a dubble barreled affair:
a double album released separately. The second volume includes other
pieces recorded during the same sessions. If you can´t get enough
of what you´ve heard on Volume 1, do yourself a favor and get
a hold of Volume 2 of this fundamental work of modern Brazilian music.
More abstracts about the Liner Notes: Projeto Alfa Vol. 1