Deodato has long thought that his music was pigeon-holed early on as jazz, but by his own admission ‘The Crossing’ is his jazziest recording ever – without giving up on the trademark synth-rock pop sound that has uniquely defined his musical space.
Here’s an album that captures the same contemporary vibe that’s worked so well for fellow Brazilian compatriots Sergio Mendes (whose ‘Bom Tempo’ is up for another Grammy this year) and Marcos Valle in recent years.
But ‘The Crossing’ eschews smartly-turned rap phrases and studio-created street cred for an easy flowing set of English vocals and instrumentals that feature a pretty impressive guest list.
Al Jarreau is here on two tracks. “I Want You More” is a soft breezy Bossa duet with the Italian jazz & pop group Novocento featuring vocalist Dora Nicolosi. Jarreau also penned the melody and lyrics for the hit single ‘Double Face’ which opens the album and was recorded early last summer while in the singer was in Germany. Leave it to Deodato to superimpose it over the electric spirit of his own “Super Strut” from nearly four decades earlier. The similarity is uncanny – and it’s sure to bring a smile.
The title song is born out of the tight horn-driven groove that’s served up so many pop hits for Deodato, this time with the UK dance group Londonbeat , who also appear on the bluesy “No Getting Over You”. And “Rule My World” with drummer Billy Cobham and Novocento could prove to be a worthy radio follow up to ‘Double Face’.
Three instrumentals shine here – warmly wonderful and all classic Deodato: “Borderline” is soulful and smooth, with the melody moving around from keyboard to strings and brass in ensemble fashion, and featuring Brazilian percussionist Airto.
“Summertime” gets a richly-layered updating with a full orchestral counterpoint married to Deodato’s flowing funk keyboard lines and “Night Passage” carries trumpet and flute in unison to contrast the ‘drift away’ melody. Both of these tunes pick up on another staple of Deodato’s early sound: Fusion guitarist John Tropea returns with a pair of great solos.
