““Now arrives Love Stories, imbued with lush arrangements and the typical passion that marks all of her work. It was created in trying times for Elias, but like diamonds and pearls, the pressure culminated in beauty.””

““Elias’ intoxicating vocals emote the ambient calm of a forest after a soft rain; her vibrancy is a force unto itself. With powerful artistry, her naturally prodigious talent is even stronger as the years pass—a feat capable only by the true elites of the musical world.” *****”

““Brazilian-born pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias continues her run of well-executed sessions for the Concord label with 2019’s lush and sultry Love Stories…At the core of each arrangement is Elias’ delicate, naturalistic vocals that recall such iconic Brazilian artists as Astrud Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Nara Leão.” ****”

““Brazilian music artist Eliane Elias showcases her mastery as a vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger, lyricist and producer on her new orchestral project, Love Stories.””

““The Brazilian pianist and singer Eliane Elias commands the keyboard with a forceful two-handed muscularity that belies her image as a blond older sister of the mythical Girl From Ipanema. The more percussive her pianism becomes, the more she opens up a song and reimagines it in what might be called a romantic carnival groove…….a celebration of the vitality of a culture overflowing with life and natural beauty””

““Eliane Elias is no stranger to love songs, as a pianist and singer well versed in the bossa nova traditions of her native Brazil. Her new album, Love Stories, which arrives on Concord Jazz on Aug. 30, gives her a luxurious setting for such concerns…The orchestral strings were recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, and they beautifully frame Elias’ singing, with its balance of sincerity and nonchalance.””

““Elias has stepped off in a different direction with Love Stories, one that should enable her to reach some new audiences.””

““Eliane Elias is one of the queens of making the most out of less as she keeps it soft, simple and sotto on this orchestral album tribute to the classic summit meeting between Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim…Songs and moods that are tall, tan, young and lovely.””

““…there are some sparkling piano moments on this CD, moments that enforce Eliane’s conviction that “the piano is an extension of my body and the deepest expression of my soul.” Her more lyrical side emerges in piano solos on “Angel Eyes” and “The View,” while “Little Boat,” a bossa and the only track with some Portuguese lyrics, finds her in her lilting comfort zone on the keys. The most forceful piano comes on a big, rocking version of “Come Fly With Me,” which also has her most suave and sultry vocal. It is the swinging center of an album that explores the shifting moods of love.””

““Love Stories is both substantial and relatable. The mood it creates and the place it takes you to are like a vacation you wish would never end.” ****1/2”

““The title says it all: this is a smooth, sweet, lush, and gently rolling collection of jazz and pop love songs, all delivered with a bossa flavor by one of the smoothest and lushest of all jazz singers–and a very fine pianist, to boot…this is a great album overall.””