TOM ZE

Estuando A Bossa: Nordeste Plaza

2010-11-01

Tom Ze has never really gained the mass acceptance that most performers work so hard to achieve; even after forty-some years of making music and performing world-wide and in his native Brazil. Perhaps it's his slightly askew approach to music that's the cause. Apparently it was this same musical approach that caught David Byrne's ear in 1989 and inspired him to sign Tom Ze to his Luaka Bop record label. "Estuando A Bossa" is essentially a "study" by Tom Ze of what is probably Brazil's most famous musical export, Bossa Nova. Here, he takes the Bossa Nova style and turns it on its ear by taking a modern approach to this traditional style of music. With songs sung in Portuguese and/or English, "Estuando A Bossa" features original compositions sung in a conversational way or perhaps with odd vocal noises thrown in. It's all done in a pleasing way while still keeping things interesting. Rebecca Ruth

Quick Links:

• Luaka Bop Website
• Tom Ze Myspace