My review of Maria Mendes' Along the Way, today at All About Jazz.

I don't normally review singers, but I like Mendes; capable of plenty in the chops department, she rarely displays them, so when she does - as she most certainly does on Hermeto Pascoal's "Chorinho Pra Ele," they're just that much more impressive.

It's largely a Brazilian/Latin program, played by the Portuguese-born, Netherlands-resident singer who's backed by a strong Dutch quartet of names that will be familiar to some who follow the scene. But there's one notable exception; on "Olha Só No Meu Olhar," Mendes interprets Pat Metheny's "Always and Forever," from 1992's Secret Story, with some self-penned Portuguese lyrics. It's a nice touch, given the guitarist's predilections.

Review here
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