Featured Artist: Gustavo Assis-Brasil

CD Title: In Concert

Year: 2008

Record Label: Anamaria Records

Style: Fusion

Review:

Boston-based guitarist Gustavo Assis-Brasil merges monstrous chops with a strong compositional pen, highlighted during this live footage recorded at a venue in his hometown of Santa Maria, Brazil.  There’s also a bonus live CD, featuring seven audio-only pieces culled from the DVD.  And for the technically minded folks, Assis-Brasil uses electric guitars sans machine heads.  Nonetheless, the trio pursues a tightly regimented approach, counterbalanced by ample soloing opportunities and the leader’s largely, memorable frameworks. 

The band kicks off the film with a jazz-fusion number titled “The Same Day” as Assis-Brasil conveys a legato-heavy Allan Holdsworth type riff, although that’s where all comparisons end.  No doubt he’s a fluent and articulate guitarist who communicates quite a bit of depth in concert with complex chord voicings and speedy single note lines.  Drummer Mauricio Zottarelli makes the most of his economical four-piece kit.  Moreover, he provides some credence to the adage that it isn’t always necessary to arm yourself with a armada of tom-toms and cymbals to be an effective timekeeper within this genre.  Otherwise, bassist Jose Pienasola provides a buoyant bottom end while often harmonizing a given theme or passage with Assis-Brasil.

Guitarist Julio “Chumbinho” Herrlein augments the trio on three pieces amid guest appearances by bassist Nene Vianna and drummer Bruno Tessele.  There’s also a “making of” segment within the DVD that includes footage of the town’s scenery and the pre-concert dialogues and setup.  Sadly, Assis-Brasil’s father passed away two months after completing the cinematic production. 

Ultimately, the guitarist looms as a young firebrand who surfaces as a storyteller via his melodically shaded improvisations and acute penchant for the dynamic.  Assis-Brasil sets his sights high and pulls it all off with the ease of a seasoned vet.  Simply stated, he possesses the goods to nestle himself within the upper echelon of jazz and jazz-fusion guitar heroes. 

Artist's Website: http://www.gustavoassisbrasil.com

Listen or Buy: Abstract Logix

Reviewed by: Glenn Astarita

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