Ronald Mesquita

Like many Brazilian albums of this generation, it's evident that this self-titled release by Brazilian drummer Ronald Mesquita relies on the groundbreaking work of previous composers: Ben, Jobim, Gil. The album is peppered with classic covers, including several songs recorded by Elis Regina: hubris or honourable homage?

Although for the most part, the rhythm section handles classic works such as Jorge Ben's ‘Balança Pema’ with dexterity and occasional flair, the danger of emulating such esteemed pearls of the canon is that any discrepancies are immediately obvious. The inevitable cover of Jobim's ‘Águas de Março’ is at best competently inoffensive, but the soaring melodies of Milton Nascimento's ‘Canção do Sal’ fare less well: AutoTune would have been a welcome addition to the remastering process. Elsewhere, the ethereal, wordless melodies, louche Rhodes and caxixi (shaker) of original tracks ‘Dabadeia’ and ‘Zanzibar’ give parts of this record a welcome brazuca feel, calling to mind Airto Moreira's early 70s work, but the effect is again ruined by the two singers' refusal to sing accurately together in octaves.

Another Mr Bongo re-release, another forgotten 1970s treasure? Perhaps this one stayed in a dusty crate because it didn't quite match up to other exemplary releases emanating from south-eastern Brazil in the 70s.