by Alex Henderson
With Crazy Rhythm, Azymuth may well have recorded its best album ever by rejecting gimmickry and focusing on what it does best -- sensuous, understated yet rhythmically exciting Brazilian jazz/pop/R&B. Brazilian artists have often been quite adept at creating music that has light and delicate qualities, but never degenerates into &elevator muzak.& Like the bossa nova of the '60s, Crazy Rhythm is &easy listening& music with a difference -- some of it was soft enough for airplay on &quiet storm& and &smooth jazz& radio, but nothing on this CD comes across as contrived or calculated. Jose Roberto Bertrami delivers one of the finest solos of his career on the beautiful and enchanting &Diza,& and special guest Joe Pass (guitar) is in fine form on &Tropical Horizon& and &Hobalala.&