Richard Bona and Sadao Watanabe make a great musical team. This is the first of two recorded collaborations (so far). Watanabe is a very melodic improviser with the song always first and foremost. Bona is an outstanding bassist, singer, and writer in his own right. However, many of the songs on this effort fail to really catch fire. Both the playing and production is a little "safe" and close to smooth jazz for my taste. That being said, the faster tempoed songs that utilize Bona's singing and afro-jazz bass playing come across very well. They expanded on this approach for the utterly outstanding "Wheel of Life" CD. That one is essential for fans of Sadao Watanabe and/or Richard Bona. - by It's Me, Really, Amzon.com
Artist: Sadao Watanabe
Album: Sadao 2000
Year: 2000
Label: Verve
Runtime: 46:54
Tracks:
1. Matahari Terbenam (Sunrise) (Sadao Watanabe) 2:15
2. Te Misseya (Richard Bona) 5:08
3. Sa So Ngando (Step in and Dance) (Sadao Watanabe) 6:18
4. I Thought of You (Sadao Watanabe) 6:25
5. Nostalgia (Sadao Watanabe) 5:04
6. Hana no Shima (Richard Bona) 3:29
7. Life is All Like That (For Snoopy & His Friends) (Sadao Watanabe) 5:09
8. Back Yard Suite (Sadao Watanabe) 5:19
9. One in the Same (Sadao Watanabe/Richard Bona) 4:44
10. Por Toda a Minha Vida (Antonio Carlos Jobim/Vinicius De Moraes) 2:59
Personnel:
Sadao Watanabe (Alto, Sopranino Saxophone)
Richard Bona (Bass Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar) - 1-9
George Whitty (Piano, Keyboards)
Jonathan Joseph (Drums) - 1-9
Mike Stern (Guitar) - 7
Café (Surdo) - 9