by Ken Dryden
Hendrik Meurkens grew up in Germany and attended Berklee College of Music in the United States, but his primary musical passion has long been Brazilian music. Already a virtuoso on harmonica (and the first serious rival to Toots Thielemans on the instrument), he is in terrific form throughout this session. Meurkens gathered a number of the top Brazilian players to join him, featuring the well-known vocalist and guitarist Doryi Cayimmi on a brisk, passionate take of &Amazon River& and the equally warm &O Cantador.& Another popular Brazilian guitarist, Oscar Castro-Neves, guests on two of Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions, the samba &Piano Na Manqueira& and &Ela é Carioca,& while Cuban clarinetist Pacquito D'Rivera trades licks with the leader in the joyful choro &Lingua de Mosquito.& Meurkens also doubles on vibes on one track. This is a delightful date from start to finish.