Tom Lellis - Southern Exposure

Tom Lellis is no stranger to Brazilian grooves; he's been making Rio-oriented records for a decade as of this writing. Southern Exposure is not so revolutionary in its aims -- despite the fact that it appears on the new and commendable Adventure Music label -- but in its execution it is flawless. Lellis uses Brazilians rhythms and harmonics as a hipster would, treading lightly with them, just enough to make sure you get the reference, but it's only one aspect in his bag of tricks. Like Ben Sidran 20 years ago, or Kurt Elling and Michael Franks in the early '70s, Lellis understands the depth of music in his phrasing, and makes it a polyrhythmic plank in his arsenal. Read More