Peter La Barbera's Review of the Tucan CD

The Jazz Zine, 2000.

This was an exciting CD to review. It further explores the capabilities of how our planet is growing smaller and together through the Art of Jazz and World Music. Who would have ever fathomed the idea that authentic sounding Brazilian music would come from as far away as Israel? Well it has and the voice is authentic, flavorful and full of the spirit of this easy yet intricate music. Somewhere along the way it has incorporated the essences of jazz andEuropean music embellished with the rhythms of Africa.

Tucan is made up of three exceptionally talented musicians and composers, two of which ,Hagay Rehavia on Guitar and Amir Milstein flautist, are graduates from Musical Academies in Israel. The third member, Joca Perpignan - vocalist-percussionist - is actually from Brazil.

There are thirteen tracks on this CD. The music ranges from Jobim to Caymi. Throughout, these musicians feel at ease with each other and work evenly as a group without ever losing the sense of Brazilian authenticity and groove.

Bola de futebol has a nice lilting beat and Brazilian street dance feeling with Armir convincingly telling the story on flute.

Coconut opens with a mesmerizing chant by percussionist Joca Perpignan and again the group displays the fluidity of Brazilian rhythms with an easy flowing display.

The Caymi composition, Toucan's Dance is a mobile and dreamy piece drawn with excellence by these three gifted interpreters.

Bate Coxa dances to the cadences of Hagay's guitar. Again, the group is tight and together formulating the dance changes to this happy lullaby.

Choro para Guinga is a moody abstract that again is told with the lyrical and articulate guitar work of Hagay.

A Ra, (The Frog) has a mysterious approach with some exotic displays of Brazilian rhythm playthings neatly done and sung by Joca on Percussion.

Otha Maria, the Jobim piece gets a nice reading by the trio. The melancholy mood of the flute and guitar has a chamber music quality that let's the listener wander into a world of sensual beauty thanks to the composer, Mr. Jobim and this gifted trio.

What happened, shows off the writing abilities of percussionist, Joca Perpignan as well as his abilities as a congero. The piece swings and has an infectious melody.

Similar taste. begins with the overture and slides into the actual piece. This composition composed by Hagay Rehavia is the most ambitious on the CD. My feelings are that the inference of this piece is a summery of what Tucan is trying to achieve. That is, the coming together of different cultures into the wonderful world of their musical interpretations. Tucan is a group that produces difficult music and has been able to sprinkle the magic dust of all the cultures so that we, the listener, can enjoy and appreciate the fact that there is still beauty in our world.

Back to the Press page