Meu Único Medo É Primavera

After a brief opener in which the Paulistano musician intones the album's title four times to the sole accompaniment of an acoustic guitar, the album breaks into song: a further ten polished songs of around the classic three-minute mark, betraying his interest in contemporary jazz and tropicálistas like Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. Lasserre's third album (again released via Sweden's ajabu! label) was recorded in São Paulo and produced for the first time by the artist himself alongside pianist and composer, Rafa Castro.

MUMEP, as Lasserre abbreviates the album's title, suggests how the inevitable promise of spring tempers fear of a future unknown. Apart from a certain funereal quality inherent in ‘Saudade do Abraço’, the numbers are upbeat and optimistic, characterised by Lasserre's refined vocals (slightly reminiscent of Milton Nascimento on the atmospheric ‘Estrela, Estrela’) and elegant arrangements. The guitar playing of Conrado Goys is a particular delight, gracing numbers like the pretty ‘Petit Garçon’, the shimmering ‘Centro’ and ‘Voa Sim’, which features Sidmar Vieira's distinguished trumpet playing. ‘Eu Vim Pra Cantar’ feels like classic bossa jazz, while the finale, ‘Pluma’, mirrors the spare acoustic approach of the opener. A stylish and elegant album, in sum, to cement this classy artist's reputation.