Nois 4 - Bom Dia (2004)

NOIS 4 recorded Bom Dia (pronounced 'Bom Jeeaa') live over a long weekend, and though writing/arranging duties are shared among the collective, production detail fell to drummer and percussionist Chris Wells. Taking much of their material from such superstar composers as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dorival Caymmi and Jackson Do Pandeiro, the album could have been a 'Greatest Hits' of Brazilian music, but the obvious songs have been discarded in favor of overlooked gems. Bom Dia is a beautifully engaging album. The dominant ingredients are the lilting voice of Monica Vasconcelos intertwined with Getzian saxophone of Ingrid Laubrock. The songs are perfectly balanced, plaintive yet affirming, profound yet light. It will be played over and over again.