The Manily Piano Reviews, October 29, 2022

Hindrances begins with the title track, a 9 1/2 minute exploration that clearly indicates how jazz and classical styles are merged into Neves' music. Relaxed yet intense and colorful, this opening piece will grab your attention and draw you in right away. Neves is obviously the lead in most of the music, but he also gives trio-mates plenty of room to shine and express themselves. "Hindrances" begins with a beautifully-flowing one-minute solo piano intro before the bass and drums make their entrance. The second section of the piece is quite Baroque in style and then moves on to a slow, thoughtful jazz passage that gradually picks up speed and intensity, quieting near the end - a great starting piece! My impression of "Pictures I Would Like to Show You" is that the several different sections represent the photos being shared and the emotions they evoke. A quiet and intimate first section segues into a more rhythmic and upbeat section that becomes joyous and lively. The bass takes over one of the passages, conversing with the piano until the drums move the piece into another distinctly different theme. How the musicians do this so seamlessly is truly amazing! "One Mile of Walking" begins with a slow, easy groove that invites the listener to get lost in the music - hypnotic! "Development of Behavior" is a favorite. Its relaxed, graceful melody builds toward the middle of the piece, where it becomes almost playful and then settles back down as the drums build and take over to the close - fascinating! "Experience of Clarity" is low-key and calm with some wonderful bass work carrying the lead in places and the piano leading in others. "Bumpy Roads" is another favorite and again allows Miguel Angelo (bass) to take over the lead in several places. After a soulful, reflective start, the piece becomes hard-driving and a bit funky - just try to sit still for the second half of the piece! "Two Miles of Walking" starts with a drum solo that defines the groove before the piano starts. Driving and very lively, it comes to an abrupt stop at the end. "Meet You At the Peak" obviously refers to the end of the journey to the mountaintop and, hopefully, the peace of mind and clarity that it brings. A gorgeous slow ballad, it's a wonderful close to an excellent album.

I haven't been able to find Hindrances for sale in the US, but you can listen to it on Bandcamp. There is also a YouTube video of an interview with Pedro Neves. I will add more links as they become available. This is a great album and well worth the effort to find it!

Riccardo Talamazzi [Off Topic Magazine]

...We therefore hear a constantly delicate, balanced pianism, with a good choice of percussive dynamics on the keyboard, that is, with that particular touch which allows us to quickly distinguish a good pianist from a willing amateur. There are many decorations, above all entrusted to the perfect and well-composed rhythm that accompanies it, without however resulting in any decadent imprint or towards hyperbolic tendencies, maintaining an absorbed and elegiac climate, the result of a constant clarity of intent.

António Branco [jazz.pt]

A major moment in Pedro Neves' career, "Hindrances" expands views and reinforces the place among the most interesting piano trios of national jazz.

VerhoovensJazz.net

Pedro Neves shows a very good feeling for melodies and an equally good balance between rhythmic, lyrical and narrative elements, so obstacles ( hindrances ) are considered a challenge, which the trio approaches in a reflective and contemplative manner, in the sense of a peaceful approach, for the sake of their own clarity . The result is a melodic, beautiful, relaxing and absolutely recommendable recording.

RockTimes.info

…Regarding the eight Pedro Neves compositions on "Hindrances", everything is in an organically interlocking flow. All the pieces of the puzzle intertwine as if it were a matter of course and result in a gripping, at times furious overall picture. This is characterized by a remarkable variety of sounds, in which the double bass player Miguel Ângelo and drummer José Marrucho contribute a rhythmically demanding foundation for Pedro Neves' piano runs.

The two fellow musicians have their freedom in different phases to stage themselves very successfully with solos.

The eight songs on "Hindrances" impress with very different moods, which not only manifest themselves in the individual songs, but also provide bright sunlight or thoughtful parts within a track.

The trio attaches great importance to keeping the mood light and airy in fast phases and to creating a high degree of intimacy in ballad-like moments. Quiet parts also succumb to the patterns of improvisation and it's brilliant time and time again how you manage to conjure up beautifully swinging sections.

La Habitaction del Jazz

In this fourth work as leader, Neves is consecrated as an excellent composer and performer. Its degree of maturity has risen many integers; The music he offers us has swing, improvisation that mixes with the arrangements creating a unique whole. He knows how to be emotional and cheerful, but his pianism is always elegant, changing, with a great variety of sounds and nuances.

As in other works of Neves, there are no protagonisms, all are integrated into a common goal: music.

It can be said that "Hindrances" is high-level jazz that invites an attentive and leisurely listening.

Again, I affirm, as I already defined a previous work of Neves, that this album is beautiful, relaxing and absolutely recommended.

Jazz, ese Ruido

The result is a modern, daring album, but that maintains at all times the values that bring the lyric of the piano, emotion and improvisation. Highly recommended.

Adam Baruch

The album is mostly well within classic mainstream Jazz piano trio idiom, with excellent compositions and superb playing, but offers also refreshing excursions into more open territory, which makes things even more interesting.

The music offers deeply melodic, melancholic vistas, which are developed slowly and delicately, as if hesitantly, but remain always highly aesthetic and captivating. Neves is a charming storyteller and songweaver, like some of the best classic piano Masters, who manages to avoid confusing simplicity and directness with triviality. His melodies often surprising with unexpected twists and turns, landing safely back on the beat just at the right time.

The trio sounds perfectly balanced, with the rhythm section being supportive and cooperative at all times. Strong bass pulsations keep the music flowing at the right pace and harmonic unity and the drums, ever so slightly back in the mix, ornament the music with rhythmic adornments. Beautifully recorded, this is a true delight for classic Jazz piano trio fans.

Overall, this is a delightful album from start to finish, which creates a relaxed and caressing atmosphere, so much needed in this time of perpetual noise, and is still able to carry a highly musical message, which goes straight into the heart. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Japan

Rui Eduardo Paes [Jazz.pt]

Most of the songs have a groove and funky side more common in electric jazz than in something as unapologetically acoustic as this record. And yet, it is a slow composition that makes us surrender to the arguments exposed, the beautiful "Yesterday", being curious that the next track, that of the title, connotes the sense of beauty previously awakened with classical music, not without the double bassist Miguel Ângelo and the drummer Leandro Leonet add a well-chopped pulse. Here is another CD from the North of Portugal that gives pleasure to listen to...

Jim Trageser [All About Jazz | November 28, 2016]

Throughout, Neves shows himself a technically superb pianist who shines in a trio setting. Angelo and Leonet provide a solid foundation behind him—the result is a small gem of original jazz from an unexpected locale.

Nuno Catarino | A Forma do Jazz

If the piano displays itself at a great level, the double bassist steals the spotlight right at the first theme, with a striking solo. Neves brushes the themes with exuberance, well accompanied by the trio partners, in a permanent game of high dynamic intensity. The quality of the composition is amplified by the trio's brilliant interpretation, resulting in a record far above average.