🎵 AotW AOTW: Paulinho Da Costa - Breakdown (CD-5356)

[Captain Bacardi]

Paulinho da Costa
BREAKDOWN
A&M CD-5356

Released 1991

Format: CD/Cassette

Produced and Arranged by Paulinho da Costa & Erich Bulling for Step Productions

Songs:

• 1. Say It Now, 'Freedom' (Paulinho da Costa/Erich Bulling/Jeffrey B. Hull/Peter Canada) - 6:07
  2. One Step Two Step (Erich Bulling/Paulinho da Costa/Debbie Franco) - 3:42
  3. Guaruja (Paulinho da Costa/Erich Bulling/Peter Canada) - 4:58
  4. I Believe You (Erich Bulling/Viqui Denman) - 4:04
  5. Sabor Latino (Paulinho da Costa/Erich Bulling) - 4:01
  6. Let's Stay Friends (Paulinho da Costa/Erich Bulling/Peter Canada) - 5:09
  7. No Way Out (Erich Bulling/Paulinho da Costa/Peter Canada) - 4:06
  8. This Love's For Keeps (Erich Bulling/Paulinho da Costa/Peter Canada) - 3:49
  9. Real Love (Erich Bulling/Viqui Denman) - 4:05
  10. You Can Love Me (Paulinho da Costa/Erich Bulling/Viqui Denman) - 3:44
  11. Going North (Paulinho da Costa/Erich Bulling/Viqui Denman) - 3:24
  12. Exotica (Paulinho da Costa/Erich Bulling/Viqui Denman) - 5:00

Musicians:
Paulinho da Costa - Percussion and Drums, Background Vocals (3, 7, 11, 12)
Erich Bulling - Keyboards
Larry Williams - Tenor Saxophone (1, 5, 7, 8 )
George Duke - Keyboard solo (2)
Paul Jackson, Jr. - Guitar (2, 4, 9)
Andy Narell - Steel Drums (3)
Nathan East - Bass (4)
Marcus Miller - Bass (5, 7, 9)
Bill Reichenbach - Trombone (5, 8 )
Rick Culver - Trombone (5, 8 )
Jerry Hey - Trumpet (5, 8 )
Gary Grant - Trumpet (5, 8 )
Herb Alpert - Trumpet (6, 7)
Carlos Rios - Guitar (6)
Gerald Albright - Soprano Sax (9)
Duilio Cosenza - Cavaquinho
Vocals: - Jimmy Varner, Darryl Phinnessee, Peter Canada, Philip Bailey, "The Waters" (Maxine, Julia, Oren & Luther), Marsha Skidmore, Isela Sotelo, Maria del Ray, Kenny O'Brien, Erich Bulling

Recorded at Ocean Way Recording by Steve Sykes and Eric Rudd and at Wild Tracks Recording Studio by Erich Bulling
Mixed by Csaba Petocz and Steve Sykes at Conway Recording Studios
Assistant Engineer: Briant Arnett
Mastered by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering

Art Direction & Design: Chuck Beeson & Rowan Moore
Photography: Bret Lopez
Stylist: Mimi De Blasio


Capt. Bacardi

 

[Captain Bacardi]

This is a very commerical effort by da Costa and is one of those hit-or-miss albums. Obviously, there's a lot of percussion going on. But some of the vocals are rather tepid, especially on the songs "Real Love" and "This Love's For Keeps". On the other hand one of the better pop tunes here is "Let's Stay Friends", complete with Herb Alpert's mournful trumpet lines at the end of the song. Herb also guests on the quirky "No Way Out", jamming alongside saxman Larry Williams. The only real Brazilian tune is the romping closer "Exotica", which is my favorite tune of the whole album. This will definitely put you in a festive mood.

While this album isn't nearly as bad as Paulinho's awful Happy People album from a few years back, it's also not nearly as good as Agora! (both on Pablo Records). It's okay, but I wouldn't bust a gut looking for it. 3 stars from me.



Capt. Bacardi

 

[PartyRico]

Once again I must agree with the Captain. "Agora" is much better than this recording. I was dissapointed with Paulinho's A&M work for the most part. I do however consider him one of the top 3 percussionists around.