Pipeline UK Mazine Review

I received the magazine with this pretty cool review:

João Erbetta - The L.A Sessions

Brazilian guitarrist João Erbetta recently upped sticks and moved to the States where he recorded this, his third instrumental outing. Searching for the right place to record live with a vintage drum sound, he was recommended Pete Curry's Powow Fun room Studio in Los Angeles and, within three days of his arrival, the album was ready. Pete (The Halibuts, Los Straitjackets) plays drums and Richard D'Andrea bass, João providing the guitar work and the songs. He say's: "I don't like songs with long solos that don't reach a conclusion. Surf and Country music are based on melodies. My connection is with the melody."
Viva Waimea! makes a fine first impression as João manages to fire 1st and 2nd guitar parts as well as some crashing rhythm chords in a single volley of finger work. It's impressive and hugely enjoyable too. O Caipira is a jolly uptempo Hawaiian style melody while South American Girl in an exotic roll-along surf ballad. The only cover amongst ten originals is the excellent racey Tico Tico, but Oil Man meanders somewhat untill João's flying fingers zoom along the Road to Mineapollis. With a Jazzmaster playing through a Fender amp, João pushes this surf-based set out of its box and towards a bit of country on The Dog and the Squirrel and easy listening for This is Your New World, there's even some easy with a hint of jazz on Malibu Nightmare. It's a striking album and Viva Waimea!  keeps drawing me back. (Alan Taylor)