JOSÉ LUIZ MARTINS

ODYSSEY MIXTAPE

Origin Records

José Luiz Martins, piano/keyboard/synthesizers/composer; Alex Hamburger, flute/vocals; Romeir Mendez, bass; Dana Hawkins, drums. SPECIAL GUESTS: John Lee, guitar; Tyrone Allen II, electric bass; Florian Haas, drums. Nakama, vocals.

Brazilian pianist, composer and arranger, José Luiz Martins has a way of blending his cultural roots with American fusion jazz, hip hop beats, European classical music and funk. It blossoms into a fresh, beautiful, musical flower.  Martins’ “Odyssey Mixtape” features a few special guests including guitarist John Lee who solos brilliantly on the opening tune, “Incerteza.”  Incerteza translates to ‘uncertainty,’ but I hear nothing uncertain or contemplative about this wonderful first composition by José Luiz Martins.  It enters with high energy and excitement, inspired by Martins’s fluid and creative keyboard playing.

On Track #2 called “Don’t Act Like,” the vocals of Nakama add warm texture to the arrangement.  José Luiz Martins uses synthesizer techniques and funky beats to tease the listener’s musical tastebuds. This arrangement also features guest Tyrone Allen II, on electric bass and Florian Haas on drums.

Despite his battle against Focal Dystonia, a neurological disorder that paused his musical career in a very challenging way, Martins overcame this adversity. Consequently, his album stands as a testament to phenomenal strength of purpose. It features his composer talents, his determination, and the interplay between depression and hope. This is reflected as a recurring theme in his original music.

“Odyssey Mixtape” is the fourth album release by this gifted pianist and composer.

Alex Hamburger, singer and flautist, adds her tender vocals on “Bloom.” Although I could find no current videos available for this album, an earlier release features Ms. Hamburger with José Luiz Martins performing “Solitude” quite beautifully. Their current song release, “Bloom” is more pop/rock oriented. I prefer her interpretation of “Tierra Extraña,” a very jazzy composition by Martins. His piano exploration during his improvised solo is lovely.

This album will be released to the public on April 18, 2025.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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