The David Liebman Group, "the Unknown Jobim"

The first jazz release for Web site Gmn.com's label division is a tribute to the late Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, as devised by New York-based saxophonist and educator David Liebman. While numerous Jobim compositions such as "Girl from Ipanema" have been elevated to the level of standards in jazz circles, Liebman takes the high artistic road here, tackling lesser-known songs and largely segregating them from the soft Latin rhythms that generally inform the composer's material.

Those expecting the familiar samba rhythms that are part-and-parcel with Jobim will be surprised by the intricate post-bop sounds created by the Liebman Quartet, as the listener is asked to assess the material as something wholly new, presented without preconception. Fortunately, Jobim's melodies are sufficiently strong enough to stand on their own in any context, and Liebman's quartet (which includes guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino, and drummer Jamey Haddad) are well attuned to one another, bringing a distinct sense of adventure and artistry to the material.

Although Liebman morphs Jobim's compositions into something uniquely his own, his loving attention to their melodic detail allows him to retain a large degree of the romantic nuances inherent in the music. Unexpected touches, such as soft waves of guitar synthesizer, and Liebman's own musings on Indian bamboo flute and piano, add contemporary world music flourishes that take the music further beyond its Latin roots, and into a realm that exists outside of any single cultural influence.