Suite Brasileira

Australian-based guitarist and composer Paul Carey had one goal for his new album: to celebrate Brazilian guitar music. The vision for Suite Brasileira came about after five unique Brazilian guitars were acquired by The University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM), a place that Carey has strong links to, almost a decade ago. Carey's original compositions cover various styles of Brazilian instrumental music, including choro, samba, north-eastern rhythms, waltz and ballad. However, there are nods to the jazz that Carey studied in his earlier years, plus dashes of country, folk and blues.

The instruments he uses to explore these styles are the seven-string guitar, cavaquinho, tenor guitar, mandolin and viola caipira. They are carefully fused as overdubs on the recordings to create a wonderful, rich and full sound. Carey's playing is utterly flawless throughout. From the opening licks on ‘23 de Abril’, it's clear that you’re listening to a learned axe man who has put the time into the craft. And while this is traditional music, Carey definitely puts his stamp on it. Whatever your persuasion, this is worth a listen. If you like getting deep into all aspects of traditional guitar, it’ll be right up your street.