CD Review: Adam Dunning - Sunset Monkeys

CD Review: Adam Dunning - Sunset Monkeys







It is amazing that Bossa Nova, a music style that started more than fifty years ago in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, still holds a strong fascination over a lot of musicians around the world. That is the case with australian native Adam Dunning, to the point that in Rio de Janeiro he is considered just another carioca.

Dunning album Sunset Monkeys is a collection of mostly originals songs full of beautiful brasil imagery like in "Leblon", "Sunset Monkeys" and "Mount Eliza" or romantic lyrics like "Summer Things". Sunset Monkeys also includes the cool sambas "Song of the Lagoon", "Green" and "Parabens ao meu amigo". Rodrigo Sha adds tight and impacable flute solos on "Green" and "Parabens".

Dunning recorded Sunset Monkeys in Rio de Janeiro with a little help from some brazilian friends. Roberto Menescal sings and plays guitar in the bossa "We and the Sea" and plays the electric guitar on Jobim's "Fotografia". Joao Donato sings and plays the piano on his own composition "Jungle Flower".

Brazilian singers Cris Delanno, Daniela Procopio and Laura Lagub add the femenine touch with their beautiful voices on "E preciso perdoar", "Fotografia", and "With You".

Another highlight of the album is Dunning wonderful version of Carlos Lyra an Vinicius de Moraes classic "Voce e eu" (You and me)

Listening to Sunset Monkeys, there is no doubt Bossa Nova music is in Dunning's blood.

Tracks: Leblon, We and the Sea, Sunset Monkeys, Jungle Flower, Mount Eliza, Green, E Preciso Perdoar, Song of the Lagoon, You and Me, Summer Things, Photograph, Parabens ao meu amigo, S Wonderful, With You Nunca Fui

Musicians: Adam Dunning - vocals, guitar, Ronaldo Cotrim - guitar, flute, piano, bass, vocals, Carol Futuro - backup vocals, Eduardo Santana - flugelhorn, trumpet, Naife Simoes - percssion, drums