CD of the Day - "Vera Figueiredo, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl & Virgil Donati"

CD of the Day
Vera Figueiredo: "Vera Cruz Island" (Rainbow CD RY 006/1) 2001
Featuring: Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers, Virgil Donati, Mike Stern, Mauricio Marques, Marco Bosco, Pedro Ivo, Ruriá Duprat, Daniel D'Alcântara, Fred Prince, Derico Sciotti, Vitor Alcântara, Jean Pierre Ryckebusch, Célio Barros, Jarbas Barboza et al.
Ages ago I had the honor to be invited by Vera herself to write the liner notes for her debut solo LP, on which Hermeto Pascoal gave his blessings to her artistry by appearing as special guest. At that time (1990), Vera was already a completely mature artist, the Brazilian equivalent to Steve Gadd (with the Brazilian spice, of course). Now, on her third album, she continues to develop and perfect her craft, always achieving the perfect balance between technique and musicality of the highest caliber. And, needless to say, she remains not only Brazil's top female drummer ever as well as one of the Top 10 drummers (of any sex) in the current Brazilian music scene.