A groovy blend of bossa themes and some of the lighter pop treatments that Bonfa often received – not really a problem for us, as the approach always filled out his sound a bit more, and made for some catchy tunes with a very groovy style! Tracks include "Bahia Soul", "Dois Amores", "Song Of The Hills", "Dreamy", "Samba De Orfeu", "Na Paz Do Amor", and "Rancho De Orfeu" – and arrangements are by Deodato, Bonfa, and Arnold Goland. LP, Vinyl record album

Beautiful work from trombonist Vittor Santos – a set that glides along with the jazzy gentleness of some of the best bossa jazz sides of the 60s! The bossa-inspired use of the instrument is often far different than that of American jazz – and Santos here draws on a strong legacy from earlier years by using the trombone in an airy, almost breezy sort of way – one that steps along nicely over small combo instrumentation on piano, guitar, bass, and drums. And although the sound is simple and understated, it's never sleepy – thanks to some especially creative solos on Vittor's part! Titles include "Luanne", "Everlasting Warmth Of Friendship", "London Samba", "An American In The Samba", "Moving Water", and "I Just Remembered Everything". CD

Tighter than Jorge Ben's funky work from the early 70s – but still pretty darn great! The record's got Jorge working in a smoother vein than on his Philips sides, with the same sort of modern soul approach that Marcos Valle and other older Brazilian singers were using at the time. But since Jorge's always been a soulster from the start, the style works perfectly for his warm vocals and his keen talent for putting over a groove. Arrangements have kind of a brassy funky samba groove – and titles include "Ma Ma Ma Ma Mae", "Solitario Surfista", "Olha A Pipa", "Cae Cae Caetano", "Alo Alo, Como Vai?", and "A Cegohna Me Deixou Em Mardureira". LP, Vinyl record album

A collection that Milestone issued in 1973 that includes tracks from three of Byrd's early 60s Bossa Nova records – Latin Impressions, Bossa Nova Pelos Passaros and Once More/Charlie Byrd's Bossa Nova. Byrd and his unamplified guitar are joined by Keter Betts on bass and Bill Reichenbach on drums and Latin percussion; other players are also featured. The tracks are mainly composed by the big names of Bossa Nova – Jobim, Powell, Caymmi, Lyra – but there are several Byrd originals as well such as "Azul Tiple", "Bogota", "Mexican Song No 2", and "Amor Flamengo". CD also includes the album Once More! Charlie Byrd's Bossa Nova, a lovely little record from the man who helped Stan Getz find his bossa – and a set that's done with just a bit more backing than usual from Byrd for the time! The album makes nice use of additional percussion, vibes, cello, and a bit of flugelhorn to back up Byrd's work on acoustic guitar – never in a way that dominates too strongly, with just enough added sound to color in the grooves with a slightly deeper tone. Titles include "Presente De Natal", "Three Note Samba", "Limehouse Blues", "Cancao De Nimar Para Carol", "Chega De Saudade", and "Anna". (Jazz, Brazil) CD

Beautiful live set from 1971, featuring a very stripped down set of stuff. Gal comes in at first accompanying herself on guitar, then the band slowly joins in, but never really gets in the way of her voice. The sound is spare, and the production rough, and this one has a dark moody feel to it that you don't always get with her LPs. Tracks include "Falsa Baiana", "Coracao Vagabundo", "Como 2 e 2", and "Hotel Das Estrelas". LP, Vinyl record album

An intimate set, and one with a touch of jazz too – thanks to arranger Nelson Ayres, who also plays piano and keyboards on the record! Paulinho Nogueira's vocals are sweetly nestled into some warm-tinged backings – in a way that's not too smooth, but which has a similar feel to some of late 70s MPB from bigger-name artists. Titles include "Vida E Mar", "Danca Das Abelhas", "Caminhantes", "Boneca", "Uma Nova Vida", and "Modinha". LP, Vinyl record album