Yet another treasure from the recently-reopened MPS vaults, this 1973-released ‘live in the studio’ gem is an excellent showcase for the nylon-stringed heroics of Brazilian master Baden Powell de Aquino, backed by a top-notch band, with Janine de Waleyne on vocals on four of the eight tracks.

Truth be told, it’s the instrumentals that really stand out, the exquisite Baden Powell solo ‘Sentimentos – Se Voce Pergunta, Nunca Vai Saber’ and the ensemble piece ‘Petit Waltz’ (with its superb first half, featuring Powell and Bessa duetting before the rest of the band join in) especially. The best vocal track is the closing ‘Canto’ which sees Waleyne (tastefully, for once) adding wordless vocals to the spaces between the guitar lines.

Powell is of course the star of the set – this fabulous recording (by MPS’ Willi Fruth and Rolf Donner) accents his precise (precision is a real BP hallmark) and expressive chording and picking. Whether he’s playing fast or slow, seriously or playfully, he’s at the top of his game here.

A great-looking and great-sounding package, Images On Guitar just misses out on a fourth star due to Waleyne’s occasionally toe-curling attempts at scat singing. But for fans of this style of Brazilian jazz guitar playing, it’s booty well worth capturing.