Ana Caram

Ana Caram – Rio After Dark (1989) [Reissue 2002]
SACD Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 58:01 minutes | Front/Rear+PDF | 3,12 GB
or FLAC 2.0 Stereo (Official Digital Download) 24bit/96 kHz | 58:47 | Front/Rear cover+PDF | 1,22 GB
Features Stereo and Multichannel surround sound | Label: Chesky Records # SACD241

Known for her delightful delivery and delicate vibrato-less soprano, the Sao Paulo-born composer & vocalist/guitarist is equally at ease on melodic ballads as she is on tongue-twisting sambas. A Cash Box reviewer once wrote that “hearing Ana Caram was like a sweet, sunny, wake up call”.

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Ana Caram – Hollywood Rio (2004)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD/DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 42:25 minutes | Scans included | 3,01 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Full Scans included | 832 MB
Features 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 multichannel Surround sound

A superior Brazilian jazz singer, Ana Caram takes a slight detour on this SACD, stretching her repertoire while mostly still performing in a style influenced by bossa nova. One does not get to hear such songs as “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You,” “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” “Smile,” and “As Time Goes By” in a bossa nova setting that often. Also unusual is that Michel Freidenson plays all of the instruments other than the reeds (which are performed by Lawrence Feldman), and most of his electronic instruments sound real enough not to be an issue. The focus throughout is on Caram’s lovely voice and she excels on this material, showing that it really is not what you sing but how you sing it. Recommended.

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Ana Caram – Blue Bossa (2001)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 47:19 minutes | Artwork (PDF) | 2,72 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Full Scans included | 870 MB
Features 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 multichannel Surround sound

Ana Caram is an excellent singer and guitarist of Brazilian music, but this set lacks any real surprises. She only plays guitar on one song, sticking to singing while being backed by a rhythm section and the saxophones of Paulo Levi. The selections all date from the 1960s (other than her original “Pura Luz”) and Caram is mostly cast in the role of Astrud Gilberto, performing Jobim tunes (including “Desafinado,” “Corcovado,” and “Triste”) and other tunes from the era, including “Blue Bossa,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” and Baden Powell’s “So Por Amor.” The results are pleasant but very predictable, with no real chances being taken nor any fresh light shone on the veteran warhorses.

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