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AL BAWABLadies’ textiles &Readymade garmentsSUPERMighty-MiniSALEConceptualised in Singapore theX-mini has evolved into an audiogadget that is louder, smarter andbetter looking than ever before. TheSoundAntonio BrasileiroAntonio Carlos JobimMultiple Grammy Award winning Brasilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim worked with EllaFitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Elis Regina, Andy Williams, Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto;he brought a revolutionary sound to the world stage with his take on Brasilian Jazz, nowknown as Bossa Nova. In the 1950s and 60s it re-shaped popular music, and has sincebecome a quintessential bone in the skeleton that is jazz today.‘Antonio Brasiliero’ was to be the last album recorded by the legendary composer, whocollapsed just minutes after completing the recording. Sadly Jobim was pronounced deadupon arrival to the hospital, thus ‘Antonio Brasiliero’ was released posthumously andfeatured several new tracks as well as reworked takes of his greatest compositions. Stingappears on a haunting impression of ‘How Insensitive’, which clearly catapulted the albumonto the charts, however, two tracks stand out as excellent examples of Jobim’s uncannyability to layer harmony, play the sweetest melodic phrases utilizing dissonance and space,and scribe lyrics that penetrate one’s heart. His work has always been something thatsomehow summed up the very nature of mankind, and his touching, gentle approach tolatin and jazz has never been replicated by any other musician to date; although many havetried.The album opens with a snappy version of ‘Só Danço Samba’, andsets the tone for the album. It is chirpy and cheerful, but stingingall at the same time. Jobim’s young daughter Maria Luiza Jobimappears on two tracks, one of which is ‘Forever Green’. Thesong talks about the planet and how our actions have far runningconsequences, and is delivered with sweet crispness and child-likeinnocence.Linked to John Coltrane’s famous title by name only, ‘Blue Train(Trem Azul)’ was received well by the mainstream jazz channels, inpart due to its stunning trumpet lines, but also for its lazy behindthe-beatfeel. The entire album is a masterpiece. It is a fittingfarewell to the man and his music, and a ‘must have’ album forthose with critical listening skills. KJHnew and improved X-mini 2 makes upin performance where its predecessorswas lacking. Better sound quality anda sleeker looking design is only part ofits evolution; the X-mini 2 now comeswith an integrated jack attached, aninbuilt volume control, a USB portthat is also the charging port, andit’s battery life is said to be three tofour times longer than the original,approximately 12 hours.One of its coolest features is a 3.5mmjack called the ‘Buddy Jack’ thatallows one the ability to connect toother audio sources – but what betterthan more X-minis, huh? The X-mini 2will set you back about 20 rials but it’sworth checking out! CEEvening dresses&New fabricsShatti Al Qurum 2469 365012 13