Romero Lubambo & Pamela Driggs, Christmastime in Rio Review

Engaging Christmastime in Rio: Romero Lubambo & Pamela Driggs

by Sylvannia Garutch

Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs’ Christmastime in Rio is a warm set of selections ornamented with the rhythm of Brazilian waves and holiday nostalgia. The twelve-song project blends bossa nova, samba, and jazz-infused Christmas classics. The duo crafts a musical journey that evokes memories of twinkling lights and ocean breezes. This holiday album is a heartfelt celebration steeped in love, gratitude, and musical sophistication.

They are joined by an exceptional ensemble, including Victor Gonçalves on accordion, Joe Locke on vibraphone, Peter Martin on piano, Itaiguara Brandão on bass, Rafael Barata on drums, and their daughter Luisa Lubambo contributing vocals and arranging background vocal harmonies. Each musician brings a unique color that gives the album a rich, layered sound, resulting in a sonic experience filled with skill and soul.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” sets a gentle Bossa and festive tone with its intimate, swaying feel and glorious singing. Lubambo’s guitar opens with shimmering patterns, creating a cozy, Holiday ambiance. Tender and assured, Driggs’ voice wraps the melody like a velvet ribbon, while Gonçalves’ accordion adds wistful colors and charm. Luisa’s vocal background is beautiful and well-written.

The original “Winter Reverie” sparkles with poetic lyricism. Written by Lubambo and Driggs, it paints an enchanting picture of holiday wonder. Lubambo’s elegant guitar work intertwines with Locke’s vibraphone accents, creating a dreamy jazz waltz that glimmers like frosted windowpanes. Driggs’ crystalline phrasing makes the song flow perfectly with all the cherished holiday classics festivities.

“Presente de Natal,” penned by Nelcy Noronha, reflects the rhythmic joy that Lubambo and Driggs possess together. Driggs delivers the Portuguese lyrics with effortless grace, capturing the spirit of a Brazilian Christmas celebration. Locke’s vibraphone dances alongside Lubambo’s sprightly guitar, creating a festive soundscape that sounds refreshingly new for the holiday playlist.

“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” reflects how the duo can transform a classic Christmas tune into a fresh Brazilian expression while maintaining its familiar melody. Gonçalves’ accordion provides distinct tonal coloring, while Brandão’s bass and Barata’s drums lay down a romantic Latin groove that propels the track forward. The vocal backgrounds shine with warmth and precision, enhancing the festive charm of Driggs’ engaging expression of the melody.

Closing with “Toyland,” the duo transforms this sentimental classic into a tender, waltzing lullaby. Gonçalves’ accordion underscores the track’s nostalgic glow, while Lubambo’s guitar weaves gentle counter-melodies. With shifting textures and multiple rhythmic feels, the arrangement builds toward a wonderful medium swing-waltz for the melody, adding a Latin feel for the solos and a cadence of harmonic richness and vocal interest. It’s a delightful send-off, letting the listener reflect on holiday dreams surrounded by excellent music and reveling in the feeling of the Christmas season.

With Christmastime in Rio, Lubambo and Driggs craft an exquisite flow of sounds, where Brazilian rhythms and timeless holiday melodies intertwine naturally. Their keen musicianship, creative arrangements, and genuine musical passion shine through every note, making this album a treasured addition to any holiday celebration. You can almost feel the ocean breeze mingling with winter’s chill as the music plays—a perfect blend of seasonal magic and heartfelt artistry.