Monica Passos - Lemniscate (2008)

Guitar, Programmed By, Arranged By, Directed By – Jean-Philippe Crespin; Guitar, Voice, Arranged By – Mônica Passos; Harp – Margot Varret; Organ [Special Featuring] – Emmanuel Bex (tracks: 5); Percussion – Jorge Bezerra Junior, Thomas Ostrowiecki; Saxophone [Special Featuring] – Archie Shepp (tracks: 2, 8); Surdo – Edmundo Carneiro; Trombone – Stéphane Beaussier; Trumpet – Emma Ruiz; Viola – Jean-Yves Lenoble; Alto Saxophone – Eric Gallois; Backing Vocals, Guitar – Félix Jacquin; Clarinet, Oboe, Baritone Saxophone – Daniel Beaussier; Flute – Bérénice Riollet; Flute [G] – Bernard Wystraete.

The Brazilian-born French singer and guitarist Mônica Passos mixes bossa nova with folk, jazz, and pop to arrive at a sound all her own. On this 2008 disc, Passos presents her own sensual adaptations of material from Leo Ferré ("Avec le Temps"), Duke Ellington (an exotic "La Caravane"), Antonio Carlos Jobim (a brisk "Àguas de Março"), Georges Bizet ("Habanera" from Carmen), Jean-Baptiste Lully ("A la Clair Fontaine"), and even the Doors (a flamenco-tinged "Riders on the Storm"). On several tracks, Passos and her 13-piece band are also joined by organist Emmanuel Bex and John Coltrane alumnus Archie Shepp on saxophone.