Check the Beans

• Artist: Jill Russell & Heather Davis
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Reed player Jill Russell joined together with vocalist Heather Davis to record this light album of contemporary Brazilian-influenced jazz and pop. The duo recruited a handful of veteran Brazilian players -- drummer Claudio Slon, guitarist Celso Machado, bassist Eduardo Beajoux Barbosa, and producer/multi-instrumentalist Jovino Santos Neto -- and produced a solid group sound marrying light bossa nova of the '60s to slightly more exploratory Brazilian jazz of the '70s. Russell and Davis contribute one original apiece, and appear well-versed in Brazilian forms. Though Davis' voice is a bit quavery at times, she displays energy and power on the Edu Lobo standard "Viola Fora de Moda," while Russell's flute playing on "Jujuba" is also quite solid. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Only One Day	Celso Machado, Heather Davis	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(5:10)
Jujuba	Jovino Santos Neto	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(5:06)
Viola Fora de Moda	Edú Lobo	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(4:33)
Choro Pro Ze	Aldir Blanc	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(4:12)
Check the Beans	Jill Russell	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(4:29)
Itaparica	Celso Machado	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(4:15)
Like a Lover	Dori Caymmi, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(4:42)
Baião Do Porão		Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(5:19)
Diagnosis	Celso Machado	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(6:16)
Hoping for the Day	Jovino Santos Neto	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(6:31)
Balana Beigo	Celso Machado	Jill Russell, Heather Davis	(5:43)

Credits

Ron Miles (Trumpet), Jovino Santos Neto (Flute), Jovino Santos Neto (Piano), Jovino Santos Neto (Arranger), Jovino Santos Neto (Keyboards), Jovino Santos Neto (Triangle), Jovino Santos Neto (Caxixi), Jovino Santos Neto (Producer), Jovino Santos Neto (Agogo), Jovino Santos Neto (Shaker), Jovino Santos Neto (Zabumba), Jovino Santos Neto (Translation), Claudio Slon (Drums), Danny J. Weaver (Engineer), Celso Machado (Guitar), Celso Machado (Arranger), Celso Machado (Conga), Celso Machado (Drums (Bass)), Celso Machado (Triangle), Celso Machado (Vocals), Celso Machado (Voices), Celso Machado (Bells), Celso Machado (Pandeiro), Celso Machado (Agogo), Celso Machado (Shaker), Celso Machado (Wood Block), Celso Machado (Bird Calls), Celso Machado (Tamborim), Celso Machado (Jaw Harp), Celso Machado (Hi Hat), Celso Machado (Afoxe), Celso Machado (Kanjeera), Michael Fourens (Engineer), Jill Russell (Flute), Jill Russell (Sax (Alto)), Jill Russell (Main Performer), Beajoux (Bass (Electric)), Beajoux (Fretless Bass), Beajoux (6-String Electric Bass), Heather Davis (Vocals), Heather Davis (Voices), Roberta Jordá (Graphic Design)