2001 release. Having been featured on four critically acclaimed albums with Azymuth for Far Out Recordings, Jose Roberto Bertrami (Ze) was finally persuaded to record a solo album for the label. He tells how Things Are Different came about: "It all began in mid-September 2000 and the whole thing was ready by the time Carnival 2001 was happening. The song dedicated to my friends Marcos and Paulo Sergio Valle, dictated the groove of this whole album, full of laid back improvisations, a tropical vibe and much hope for the future." Ze, keyboardist, composer and leader of the inimitable Brazilian trio Azymuth, is known for creating the mesmerizing and genre blending samba doida ("crazy samba"). He was originally responsible for joining sambas and bossas with an infectious jazzy swing and he has had a huge influence on Brazilian music through his solo work, collaborations and session playing. One of the Brazilian greats, he is responsible for cross pollinating Brazilian music, bossa nova, samba and folk styles, with jazz, and R&B, using his unique keyboard sounds, a true technocrat. Amongst others, he arranged and wrote with Sarah Vaughan, Elis Regina, Mark Murphy, Joe Pass, Erasmo Carlos, Milton Nascemento, Airto, Flora Purim early in their careers, and his signature sound can be heard on many of the most well-known Brazilian productions. Going solo, you can hear the heavy influence which American jazz has had on Jose Roberto's playing, but the essence of his music remains Brazilian, and on Things Are Different he continues to work his sensitive, subtle magic at the keyboards. His skill is such that you hardly notice it is happening, producing an effortless and intuitive sounding album of laid-back Brazilian jazz. Featured on the recordings are his friends and fellow musicians, who are considered amongst South America's best - Robertinho Silva (known for his playing with Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Antonio Carlos Jobim), Eddie Palermo and his son Victor on drums. The relevance of the music Bertrami and Azymuth continues, with influences of their music obvious in the work of innovative electronic producers, like DJ Patife, and Max de Castro, through to Kenny Dope. Continuing to draw inspiration from the bands work, Kenny Dope has produced a special remix of the title track of Azymuth's last album Before We Forget (2000).