Album review: Paul Harrison “Encontros – The music of Egberto Gismonti”
Review by Fiona Mactaggart
Encontros “…has humour, has grace, has freedom to play.” – Egberto Gismonti
Encontros (Encounters) is a vivid and uplifting celebration of Brazilian Egberto Gismonti’s musical genius from Glasgow-based pianist Paul Harrison, who is aided and abetted by a group of seven accomplished international musicians (listed below).
A huge country with a rich and diverse culture, perhaps it is no surprise that Brazil produces such a range of musical excellence – Hermeto Pascoal, Tom Zé and Airto Moreira spring immediately to mind although of course there are many more. But it is Gismonti’s work that, for this listener at least, captures best the sheer beauty, range and richness in modern-day Brazil and its music.
Born 77 years ago, Egberto Amin Gismonti is a composer, guitarist and pianist. His oeuvre is sizeable, and Harrison has done well to narrow his choice of pieces down to ten on this album. Co-composed with Brazilian percussionist Edmundo Carneiro, who also plays in seven of the tracks, Harrison contributes an eleventh piece, Transition.
Harrison is particularly well-versed in this music, as his Trio Mágico (in which he was joined by Brazilian Scottish double bassist Mario Lima Caribé and Scottish drummer Stuart Brown, both of whom feature in this album) has for some years faithfully performed their take on Gismonti’s tunes, in Scottish jazz venues, supporting the idea that great compositions are relevant everywhere. In Encontros the Mágico three are joined by five other musicians, Scottish and international, in a shifting ensemble of which the membership changes from track to track.
The opening number Ano Zero (Year Zero) is performed by the original Trio Mágico members, who play with great relish. Harrison’s delicate and clear touch on the keys seems made for his music. This and Caribé’s brief solo make for a delightful opening track. Ano Zero has already been released as a single and can be heard on Harrison’s Bandcamp page (below).
Palhaço (Clown) features Glasgow-based Laura Macdonald on alto saxophone, who in the main takes charge of the melody. Harrison’s ornamentations dance around her lovely sax and there is a fine sound balance between the two instruments. So much is happening, yet it feels so ’easy’ and the pair convey a great sense of delight in the tune.
Following Harrison and Carneiro’s brief and spacious Transition is Loro (Parrot), in which the pair are joined by vocalist Rachel Lightbody. Small wonder she is one of Scotland’s most sought-after jazz vocalists, here demonstrating stunning control of her instrument. Surely an outstanding career awaits.
Lightbody also shines in the two other, rather different tracks: Bianca and Illuminada. Bianca features most of the crew and is the sole track which guests folk-jazz crossover multi-instrumentalist, Fraser Fifield, on low D whistle. Lightbody and Fifield, are at first in unison, then quietly discursive with vocalisations that are sometimes mere gestures. Very storied, the piece builds carefully before gently fading away, Carneiro’s percussion providing a soft coda. Perfect.
Meninas (Girls) is yet another gorgeous track, this one laden with feeling and showcasing the lush tones of cellist Su-A Lee. Starting off in leisurely mood, a pensive, almost broody feel evolves in part thanks to Macdonald’s languid alto. Whereupon the atmosphere erupts with next track, Karatê. A carnivalesque piece evoking Tom Zé, this features some wonderfully nimble melodica high jinks from Harrison.
Harrison returns to the piano on the mostly up-tempo O Sonho (The Dream), contributing some beautifully delicate, rippling phrases, while Macdonald’s lovely alto voicings slip and slide around the notes. Further mood-enhancement occurs with Harrison’s ringing tone and deft arpeggios in penultimate, exuberant track Sete Anios (Seven Years). Lee’s extended technique on cello adds to the fun.
The title of final piano solo track A Fala a Paixao (I’m Talking about passion) seems to sum up Harrison’s feeling about Egberto Gismonti’s music and is a reflective and sweet finale to this sumptuous album.
CD & Digital release: 5 September 2025 on Harriphonic label.
Line-up:
Paul Harrison – piano, melodica, synthesizer
Mario Lima Caribé – double bass, cavaquinho
Stuart Brown – drums, percussion tracks
Edmundo Carneiro – percussion
Laura Macdonald – alto saxophone
Rachel Lightbody – vocals
Fraser Fifield – whistle
Su-A Lee – cello
Bandcamp page for Ano Zero: https://paulharrisonjazz.bandcamp.com
Website for Paul Harrison: https://www.paulharrison.info/