🎵 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

 

[Mike Blakesley]

I never even knew this existed until now! Might have to go try and find some sound samples.

 

[A&Mguyfromwayback]

What's the music like? Paulinho is such a gifted player but I don't know him as a bandleader.....Did he also do albums for the Pablo label?

 

[Captain Bacardi]

Yes, Paulinho did a few albums for Pablo, and for me his best album was Agora. It featured Frank Rosolino on a couple of tracks and was a more Brazilian album. Breakdown is more pop/R&B with a bit of Brazilian influences.



Capt. Bacardi

 

[Dave]

And with the backing, especially the slew of vocalists, I'm left to believe Paulinho's Pablo stuff is better...

Otherwise, I have long enjoyed da Costa's backup work behind a lot of other artists...



Dave

 

[Captain Bacardi]

When I first found this CD (a promo copy) I wasn't sure what to expect. I bought this mainly because Herb Alpert was on two tracks. As mentioned this is a more pop-R&B effort from da Costa, and it's not too bad. There's not a whole lot of jazz on here - only a maddening excursion between Alpert and tenor man Larry Williams on "No Way Out" has any real jazz fire - there is enough on this album to make it enjoyable. There are a couple of contemporary Brazilian flings on here, particularly "Sabor Latino" and "Guaruja". Both "Freedom" and "One Step..." with Peter Canada on vocals sound as if De Barge is singing. The shining tune on this album is the gorgeous "Let's Stay Friends" (again with Herb guesting towards the end), which I'm surprised that this wasn't released as a single. There's a nice party atmosphere on the closing number "Exotica". It's a well produced album with a contemporary feel. 3 stars.



Capt. Bacardi