1. Kissed By Nature
2. A Volta
3. Manhattan
4. Apareceu
5. Perere
6. Where Did You Go
7. Balance
8. Djavan Medley
9. October
10. September
11. Luar
12. Kissed By Nature (Bossacucanova Remix)
13. Balance (Bossacucanova Remix)
Amazon.com
She may be on a different label, but the beautiful, Brazilian-born, New York-based pianist-vocalist Eliane Elias is still delivering soft and swinging music hip and hot enough for North and South America. On this CD, with her longtime bassist Marc Johnson and drummers Joey Baron and Paulo Braga, Elias's elegant and elastic piano springs from the influences of Herbie Hancock, Art Tatum, and the European classical masters. That mix is heard beautifully on the hushed-toned "Apareceu" and the moving "September" and "October," which feature Randy Brecker on flugelhorn and muted trumpet. "Manhattan" is a soulful tribute to Elias's adopted hometown, and her birth country is represented by the bouncy bossa nova-choro "Luar." Along with her spare piano solos and her breathy vocals, both in English and Portuguese, Elias drops some cool, club-ready, electronica-style remixes of the title track and "Balance," courtesy of the Brazilian DJ collective Bossacucanova. Whether the groove is acoustic or electronic, jazz or samba, it's all Eliane Elias, and it's all good. --Eugene Holley Jr.
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Kissed by Nature
- Audio CD: 0 pages (2002-09-24)
- Publisher: RCA Victor
- Label: RCA Victor
- Studio: RCA Victor
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 11 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #49911
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous 2008-10-12
Comment: I have almost every release by this unique and major Brazilian-New York talent, and this recording I think is her most timeless and wonderful - and my favorite. Every track is a modern jazz-samba jewel, overflowing with stunning harmonic piano verve and the most exquisitely melodic vocals. While all the tracks are standouts, deserving of special mention are the fabulous title track, the transcendent A Volta, the beautiful Aparecceu, the intensely melodic Perere and the swinging Djavan Medley. Highly recommended!
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: One Of Elaine's Best 2008-10-02
Comment: "Kissed By Nature" was released in 2002 by Blue Note Records and stands as one of pianist Elaine Elias' best work to date.
Many people complain about her vocals, but I don't find them annoying or distracting. I do agree, however, that her voice is not that strong and it's strengths are on ballads and not so much on uptempo tunes, but again, her voice isn't an issue for me.
This recording has several selling points for me. The two main ones being the songs "October" and "September" featuring Randy Brecker on trumpet and flugelhorn. I always knew Randy had some remarkable lyricism, but you wouldn't ever know judging by his own discography. Brecker simply surprised me on these compositions. His tone had such a delicate beauty. The other reason to get this album is hear one of the finest post-bop pianists in the past 20 years. She is truly a master of her instrument and plays with so much emotion and feeling. It's a constant joy to hear her play.
Elaine is joined by a stellar cast of musicians: Rick Margitza (tenor saxophone); Randy Brecker (trumpet, flugellhorn); Marc Johnson (bass); Paul Braga, and Joey Baron (drums, percussion). All of the musicians are outstanding and lend great support to Elias.
If you're new Elias' music don't hesitate to pick up a copy of this record. You will not be sorry.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Eliane Elias continues to show how great she really is 2007-04-18
Comment: Kissed by Nature is simply one beautiful album. Her vocals and playing are just stunning. One reviewer has noted something to the effect that she's maturing into a truly great artist -- a master if you will -- and I totally concur. Note that she's also the producer of her work, so this is a musician who knows what she wants her sound to be and she's really nailed it with Kissed by Nature.
All I can say is 5 stars, 5 stars plus.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Superb Kiss 2004-03-07
Comment: As the other reviewers state , this is a very good combination of World Music through the voice of Eliane and her masterful hands . Bill Evans would have liked her playing and singing . Another reason to enjoy it . I do ...
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Like if Bill Evans could also sing 2003-06-21
Comment: As an old Bill Evans fan and also a bossa nova/samba fan, I was pleased to find out about Elaine Elias. She combines both styles seamlessly. That's a very high compliment, because Evans was never involved in bossa nova or latin music. If you're a Bill Evans fan, check her out. Her basist, Marc Johnson, was the basist in Bill Evans's last trio.
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Kissed by Nature
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