BOSSA NOVA SUNSET CLUB  2019

During the ten-year hiatus from recording, Anje and Kym returned to Rio de Janeiro for another three-month tour in Brazil in 2012/13, this time teaming up with legendary drummer Marcio Bahia, bassist Mazinho Ventura and jazz guitarist Dino Rangel, for an 11 date, three-state tour.
At the beginning of 2019, with so many years of experience and musical exploration behind them, the band decided it was time to get some tracks down and capture the journey the band had been on since their last album.

The deep friendship that had formed between Anje, Kym and Marcio seemed worth celebrating, and a successful Pozible campaign brought Marcio to Australia, and helped fund the recording sessions. The band’s longtime friendship with Marcio sparkles on this album, with all four core band members (Anje, Kym, guitarist Bruce Woodward and bassist OJ Newcomb), giving superb performances, buoyed by Marcio’s exemplary musicianship, and commitment in the studio.
It is, in every way, the band’s shining hour.

Reviews:

Bossa Nova Sunset Club is a landmark album, and a significant contribution to the history of Brazilian-influenced Australian music”
Mike Ryan, Founder/Director Triboz Centro Cultural Australia-Brasil (Rio de Janeiro)

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Review Magazine, The Weekend Australian (national)
Eric Myers is Australia’s pre-eminent jazz writer and critic.
**** (four stars)

Courtesy of the bossa nova, a ubiquitous time-feel found everywhere in jazz, Brazilian music enjoys a mythical status. This Brisbane group has spent 23 years dedicated to developing a rare empathy with Brazil’s sensuous music. Their unusual album features Anje West, singing virtually the whole repertoire in the Portuguese language. As most Australian listeners will hear her vocals as an instrument, it’s fortunate that her voice is understated, well recorded, not too lush, and has a lovely vibrato, ideal for Brazilian-flavoured music.

Solos, chiefly by Kym Ambrose (vibraphone) and Bruce Woodward (guitar) are unfailingly appealing, and the inner rhythmic structures of 12 tracks are well thought through, underpinned by the great Brazilian drummer Marcio Bahia. Time-feels other than the bossa nova, with interesting rhythmic nuances, are explored here too, suggesting a genuine study and absorption of Brazilian music.

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I’m loving every track . Opening with the classic Garota De Ipanema, Anje and the distinguished band just capture every Brazilian flavour, colour, rhythm and romantic mood of a nation that has produced some of the greatest musicians in the last 100 years. You can feel the love from the first note.
Congratulations, best release of the year!”
Helen Simons, writer, radio host.

“A landmark album, and a significant artistic contribution to the history of Brazilian-influenced Australian music” – Mike Ryan, Director-Founder, TribOz – Centro Cultural Brasil-Australia

Bossa Nova Sunset Club is a love-letter to the music of Brasil; music that has inspired the band for more than two decades. Featuring some much-loved Brasilian songs and Madcouch originals, this record, the band’s third full-length release, celebrates the band’s 21st anniversary, and the friendship they share with legendary Brasilian drummer, Marcio Bahia, who is their special guest on the album.

credits

released December 20, 2020

Anje West: voice, shakers, shekere, surdo, handclaps
Kym Ambrose: vibraphone, tamborim
O.J. Newcomb: bass, backing vocals (3)
Bruce Woodward: guitar
Marcio Bahia: drums, caxixes, tamborim, shekere, agogos, handclaps
with
Lachlan Hawkins: drums, (7) and handpan, (4)
Liam Butler: bass, (2)
Mark Spencer: saxophone, (3)

Recorded at Yama-Nui Studio, Sunshine Coast
Produced by The View From Madeleine’s Couch
Recorded and Mixed by Paulie B.
Mastered by Paul Blakey at 12th & Vine Post
Artwork and design by Donna Gee
Photographs: Anje, Kym & Paulie B. & Polly Armstrong