‘Live’ is the simplest translation of the Portuguese phrase ‘ao vivo’. It can also mean ‘in person’ and ‘on air’ in the broadcasting sense, although Brazilian pianist-singer Eliane Elias’ San Francisco audience might well have had the feeling of floating as they left this concert. Whereas Elias’ studio albums can project a never less than attractive soft focus, in person she adds layers of presence, personality and stark musicality. Her own composition ‘At First Sight’, the sole original among a collection of timeless Brazilian classics, is a great example of how she and her quartet take their crowd on a journey.

Starting with a deceptively simple melody and stretching out through piano, guitar and bass improvisations that are all completely at the service of the music’s development, it culminates with an irresistibly grooving outro as the momentum rises one last time. The whole album is an exhilarating listen as Elias sings with both a seductive nonchalance and a mesmerising percussiveness while shaping intricate but never showy arrangements.

There’s a great variety of approach and contrast: a midpoint trio of songs are lightly guitar-driven with Elias’ piano held in reserve or offering almost flute-like embellishments, while drummer Rafael Barata delivers a masterclass in subtlety and controlled explosions. A solo piano reading of Armando Manzanero’s ‘Esta Tarde Vi Llover’ offers another dimension and a Tom Jobim brace, ‘A Felicidade’ and ‘Só Danço Samba’, closes the programme with masterly warmth, intimacy and no little heat.

Eliane Elias: Ao Vivo is released by Candid on Friday 22 May.

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