I just recently had a moving experience. My ears, heart, soul and, most importantly, my feet just had a first listen to the new release, Lowdown Boogie, from guitarist Igor Prado and pianist Ari Borger. I actually think it's one of the most perfect new recordings I've heard in quite a while. Keeping in mind, "perfect" is not a word to be tossed around lightly. 

These talented gentlemen have bravely done something that few artists do these days. They have released a complete recording of instrumentals. Beautiful instrumentals, equal to those of many decades past. If you doubt my words, put it to the test and add it to your library of classic R&B and Blues recordings, don't look at the names or titles, push shuffle, and close your eyes. It's one of my favorite things to do. This modern-day recording, with the warm tone of the old, and the clear, full sound of the new, actually stands the test. It would blend seamlessly within the glory of being sandwiched between the ‘50s recordings of so many of those who are honored daily by this talented group of Brazilians; guys like B.B., Lloyd Glenn, Jay McShann, Tiny Grimes, Bill Jennings and Lee Allen, just to name a few that I would hear if I pushed that shuffle button. 

Entering the "walls" of history is a beautiful thing that is mastered by so few. This is no remake of someone else's sound, or recording. It is by young men who have equaled the level of talent of their predecessors. They deliver the greatest honor to those trailblazers with their new musical offering in the best way possible, by making it 100% their own. It's a genuine gift to this genre of music that many of us love so. If you've seen Igor, Ari, Rodrigo, Yuri and Denilson on stage, you can see that they are not a showbiz, ego-driven type of band. They stylishly, and tastefully, honor everything about this music, and bring it to the right here, right now. The Igor Prado Band genuinely shines in opposition to others in this world of popularized, mediocre, overplayed music. They tower over those musicians out there who are more concerned with their photos on Facebook, and who foolishly overact on stage with attempts at capturing attention, only to succeed in taking attention away from the music. 

This recording, like its creators, shines with understated brilliance. It has that thing you hope for when the needle first hits the vinyl or when that computerized arrow is pushed in anticipation. The groove, the space, the perfect color between players is so rare and so fine. Ari Borger, Igor Prado, Yuri Prado, Rodrigo Montovani, Denilson Martins, along with guest artists Junior Watson and Sax Gordon make this a ride worth taking in each and every direction they go. It is not a straight-line journey by any means. As with past Chico Blues label recordings, one never knows what is coming next, except that it will more than likely be really good. Lowdown Boogie is just that, really good, in every way. It's your new favorite record that you just don't own yet. Go ahead and purchase it, you won't be sorry you did. Thank you Igor & Ari! Thank you Brazil!