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The influence of Afro-American icons Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock looms large, with their pioneering work of the 1970s forming the departure point for the first six songs on the disc. Ed combines these influences with his extraordinary voice to create a rich sonic palette that also draws on the sophisticated bossa sounds of an earlier generation of Brazilian innovators.

‘Aystelum’ is a wonderfully worked out slice of impressionistic vocal jazz, ‘Pharmácias’ claws its way into your brain with its slyly unexpected vocal hook and ‘É Muito Gigi Véi!!!’ sets a blistering trumpet solo over Ed’s peerless scatting to devastating effect. Best of all though is ‘Samba Azul’ — a contemplative inversion of the samba, lush and gently moving.

The second half of the disc continues to push the musical envelope with a song cycle inspired by the classic Broadway musicals and a closing trio that hark back to the vintage sounds of 1970s US funk. But it’s those first six tracks that I keep coming back to — sophisticated, vital music that will still be sounding fresh twenty years from now.

Live in London:
Ed Motta will be performing live at Cargo on 13 and 14 June

Ed also played a knockout set at Wychwood and there are a few pics on our sister site Flykr