Four years ago the outstanding Belgian singerCaroll Vanwelden catapulted herself into the limelight amid much celebration and acclaim. “As a singer, pianist and perhaps most importantly as a composer, the graduate of the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama, shows both original and new ways to entrance music lovers”, enthused Mauretta Heinzelmann . Not less impressed was Thomas Hintze of “Stereo” magazine, who awarded her CD’s as "CD and Audiophile Highlight of the Month". After releasing five albums under her own name, this belgian musician shows her great passion for Brazilian songs on her latest album and interpreted Brazilian songs in her own and unique way. Since her youth, Caroll is an avid fan of Ivan Lins and Joao Gilberto, and "Elis & Tom" (Elis Regina and Tom Jobim) belongs to her absolute favorite CDs. The way how Brazilian artists play harmonically and rhythmically complex songs and always exude an effortless ease, has always fascinated her and inspired her a lot. "Brazilian music has something very cute, intimate and familiar for me, it is very intense and very sad at the same time and that’s just the way I wanted my album to sound like." discribes Caroll. Deliberately she has therefore opted for a reduced cast: guitar, bass and drums. Carolls musical life motto "less is more" characterizes the acoustic sound of the album. The subtle and very musical accompaniment of Hans Van Oost supports her warm and expressive vocals, while Mario Vermandel plucks his bass in a very groovy way. Luc Vanden Bosch takes care for the accentuation of Brazilian rhythms, and uses different percussion in addition to drums which also contributes to the amazing richness of the sound of the band. With "Portraits of Brazil”, Caroll Vanwelden presents once more on in emotional, rich and lively way, her seemingly endless supply of creativity. “Caroll Vanwelden has once again produced a little jewel for jazz lovers around the world.”
