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Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruíz: Lado B Brazilian Project 2

By Pierre Giroux
August 26, 2025
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Catina DeLuna

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Catina DeLuna and

" data-original-title="" title="">Otmaro Ruiz have once again teamed up to explore the rich tapestry of Brazilian music in Lado B Brazilian Project 2. As a follow-up to their earlier exploration of this repertoire, this album sees the duo delve even deeper into Brazil's lyrical and melodic treasures, producing results that are both innovative and rooted in tradition. They have assembled a stellar band to perform Ruíz's arrangements, including two carry-overs from their first edition: guitarist

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Koonse and bassist

Edwin Livingston

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Edwin Livingston, along with Brazilian drumming legend

Edu Ribeiro

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Edu Ribeiro, percussionist

Gregory Beyer

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregory Beyer, and Los Angeles woodwind virtuoso

Bob Sheppard

saxophone, tenor
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Sheppard.

The foundation for this musical journey lies in the careful selection of material. DeLuna and Ruíz have chosen songs whose inherent beauty, whether through poignant lyrics or enduring melodies, can withstand bold reimagining. The set opens with

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Passarim," a melancholic piece that compares mankind's destruction of nature to fleeting love. Ruíz's inventive arrangement combines harmonic sophistication with a flowing, lyrical pulse, supporting DeLuna's poised and expressive vocal phrasing. "Mar e Lua" is a tragic love story as told by DeLuna, woven around Ruíz's thoughtful arrangement, enhanced by

Carol Robbins

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Carol Robbins's splendid harp playing.

"Requebre Que Eu Dou Um Doce" is a lively highlight propelled by an infectious yet refined choro rhythm. DeLuna offers vocalese alongside Sheppard's agile clarinet and the acoustic guitar of

Bruno Mangueira

guitar, acoustic
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Bruno Mangueira. Two masters of Brazilian music, Ivan Lins and Vitor Martins, collaborated to create the poignant "Choro Das ?guas." In this sensitive interpretation, DeLuna's tender delivery is complemented by Sheppard's lyrical woodwinds and vocalist Fabio Cadore, whose accompaniment enriches the arrangement. Another iconic Jobim piece, "?guas de Mar?o," stands perhaps as the most daring transformation on the release. Ruíz reimagines the tune with shifting harmonies and surprising rhythmic twists, incorporating Sheppard's flute and

Jimmy Branly

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Branly's Udu clay pot to bring fresh vitality to the song.

Throughout, Ruíz's arrangements are the key to the session's success. They respect the melodic integrity of each piece while opening them to new harmonic and rhythmic possibilities. Additionally, they provide ample space for each collaborator to make a personal statement. For example, the closing tracks, "Meu Silêncio" and "Vatapá," demonstrate the breadth of the project's vision. The former is a sombre, introspective number, spotlighting DeLuna's nuanced vocal control, gracefully enabled by the deep tone of acoustic bassist

Darek Oles

bass
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Darek Oles. The latter bursts forth with percussive energy as DeLuca and Ruíz take control of the number in a vibrant duo performance. This recording celebrates Brazil's musical heritage, not as a museum piece but as a living, evolving art form.

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Track Listing

Passarim; Mar E Lua; Na Volta Que O Mundo Dá; Requebre Que Eu Dou Um Doce; Choro Das ?guas; ?guas de Mar?o; ? Luxo Só; Aluvi?o; Meu Silêncio (Velho Companheiro); Vatapá.

Personnel

Otmaro Ruiz

keyboards

Catina DeLuna

vocals

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

Edwin Livingston

bass

Derek Oles

bass

Edu Ribeiro

drums

Bruno Mangueira

guitar, acoustic

Bob Sheppard

saxophone, tenor

Gregory Beyer

percussion

Carol Robbins

harp

Additional Instrumentation

Bob Sheppard: flute, clarinet; Jimmy Branly: Udu clay pot; Fabio Cadore: voice; Melanie Jackson: voice; Adrianne Duncan: voice: Naomi Taniguchi: voice; Susan Marder: voice; Roberto Montero: voice; JP Rogers: voice; Mon David; voice. Trio Manacá (Catina DeLuna, Natália Spadini and Marcele Berger): voices; Felipe Fraga: voice; Angelo Metz: voice; Carlos Murguia: voice.

Album information

Title: Lado B Brazilian Project 2 | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

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