For those not in the know, Marcelo Paganini is a French/Brazilian composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist (guitar, keyboards, harmonica, cavaquinho, bass, percussion, drums), arranger, sound designer, movie maker, singer, poet, writer, journalist (former correspondent for Brazilian alternative newspaper Cometa Itabirano in Paris for 25 years) and actor, living in Paris since 1984.

Phew, well, there we go, but furthermore, he started playing music back in 1975. Indeed, Marcelo Paganini is also a member of legendary band of bands from Belo Horizonte "Tribo de Solos" and his one man midi band show "Marcelo Paganini is the Band" was one of the first Brazilian live electronic acts back in 1986.

Having released 2012 Space Traffic Jam in 2014, First Time In Rio in 2016, and followed that up the same year with his first EP entitled Viela das Tangerinas, we now are lucky enough to be presented with his brand new EP, entitled B4 Ever Now.

Featuring Paganini on guitars and keys, the vibrantly artistic American singer, songwriter and actress Durga McBroom on lead vocals, Brazilian pianist, composer, arranger, and record producer Eumir Deodato on keys (tracks 2 and 3), Marc Madore on bass, Gary Husband on drums, and finally Dada Viana on percussion (track 1), they all come together to bring forth a mighty fine musical experience.

1. 'Crying With A Smile'
2. 'Last Bart To San Bruno'
3. 'B4Ever Now'
4. '2012 Space Traffic Jam'

Admittedly, all four of these tracks can be found on Paganini's three previous albums, but here they are recomposed with a different ensemble. This gives each track a new sense of life, of creation, and having been now remixed, remastered and rearranged, well, the inclusion of Durga McBroom just puts the delightful cherry on the cake.

McBroom, who has performed backing vocals for Pink Floyd and is a member of the house music band Blue Pearl, best known for their hit single 'Naked in the Rain,' is a force to be reckoned with here and the way she uses her deeply entwining vocals within each track truly ensures that there is a new vibrant core to each of them.

The work from 75 year-old pianist, Eumir Deodato, should not be overlooked either as the jazz musician really seems passionately taken by this project as if it were his very own.

Housing only the aforementioned four tracks, B4 Ever Now is, as you would fully expect knowing these musicians, a mixture of fusion, progressive and, at times, what feels like studio improvisation.

The opening track, 'Crying With A Smile' (trust me, it's harder to do that you would first imagine), is about life and how we, as humans, can get hurt along the way, with the searing guitar work of Paganini on 'Last Bart To San Bruno' ensuring that it has to be heard to be believed.

The delicately smooth lite jazz of 'B4Ever Now' showcases the beautiful vocals of McBroom perfectly, and then the last track on the EP, '2012 Space Traffic Jam' is brought forth. At nearly nine minutes long, it's (at times) a psychedelic trip encompassed within moments of both jazz and prog fusion.

I've listened to this track three times now and laid back in my favorite comfy chair, my eyes closed, it's hard to distinguish whether it's Paganini playing those vibrant, soaring guitar licks, or David Gilmour himself! Either way, this EP is one for the ages and a mighty fine work of musical art.

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