A "best of" collection of some of Lins' work from as early as 1970 through 1986. Tracks include "O Amor E O Meu Pais", "Depende De Nos", "Madalena", "Daquilo Que Eu Sei", "Bandeira Do Divino", "Vitoriosa", "Novo Tempo", "Comecar De Novo", "Dinorah, Dinorah", "Juntos", "Me Deixa Em Paz", and "Antes Que Seja Tarde". CD

Wonderful work from Marisa Monte – and a set that may well be the greatest record we've heard from her in years! There's a freshness here that grabs us right away – with the lure we felt when first hearing Monte's music many years ago, but cast here in a completely different style, too – more acoustic overall, yet with these beautifully subtle touches in the background – light orchestrations that slide nicely amidst the core small combo instrumentation – all topped with some of Marisa's most heartfelt lyrics in years. The album's got some great contributions from Dadi, who's definitely Monte's other half on the project – plus hip musical contributions from an array that includes Vinicius Cantuaria, Miguel Atwood Ferguson, Marty Erlich, Bernie Worrell, and other surprising guests. Monte often plays ukulele, which has a cool sound that punctuates the record nicely – and titles include "Ainda Bem", "Verdade Uma Ilusao", "Lencinho Querido", "Descalco No Parque", "Depois", and "O Que Voce Quer Saber De Verdade". CD

An excellent collection of Baden Powell's classic work from the 60s – featuring tracks originally recorded for the Elenco and Philips labels – all of them some of the most tremendous work of its time! The set list was hand-chosen by Roberto Menescal, and it features some of Baden's early bossa tunes, plus some of his more complex and complicated styles from later on in the 60s. The guitar work on the set is wonderful – acoustic, lively, and dancing – often set in very spare rhythms – and titles include "Apelo", "Viagem", "Deixa", "A Lenda Do Abaete", "E De Lei", "Lamento", "Samba Triste", and "Euridice". CD

A great little album by Elis – recorded for Warner/Elektra at the end of her career, but very much in the spirit of her classic work for Philips in the 70s. Like so many of those records, this one features arrangements and keyboards by Cesar Camargo Mariano – and the list of tracks is a stellar blend of work by some of Brazil's finest writers. Includes a wonderful version of Milton Nascimento's "Maria Maria" – plus "Alo Alo Marciano", "O Primeiro Jornal", "Marambaia", "Menino", "Redescobrir", "Sabia", "Onze Fitas", "Conversando No Bar", and "Redescobrir". Double CD, with all tracks from both volumes! CD

A really unique album from the legendary percussionist Nana Vasconcelos – one that continues the groundbreaking tradition of his 70s work, but with a very special style here! Some of the tracks use overdubs, so that Nana is mixing berimbau, percussion, voice, and other percussion instruments with a sonic complexity that lives up to the best tradition of ECM at the time – still rootsy, but really showing the modernist elements that lie in his music as well! Egberto Gismonti adds in guest guitar on one long track, and there's a bit of strings on the record too – but most of the energy comes from Nana himself. Titles include "O Berimbau", "Vozes", "Ondas", and "Dado". LP, Vinyl record album

A very cool Japanese album of Brazilian percussion – audiophile, and plays at 45rpm! LP, Vinyl record album

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Wonderful work from Marisa Monte – and a set that may well be the greatest record we've heard from her in years! There's a freshness here that grabs us right away – with the lure we felt when first hearing Monte's music many years ago, but cast here in a completely different style, too – more acoustic overall, yet with these beautifully subtle touches in the background – light orchestrations that slide nicely amidst the core small combo instrumentation – all topped with some of Marisa's most heartfelt lyrics in years. The album's got some great contributions from Dadi, who's definitely Monte's other half on the project – plus hip musical contributions from an array that includes Vinicius Cantuaria, Miguel Atwood Ferguson, Marty Erlich, Bernie Worrell, and other surprising guests. Monte often plays ukulele, which has a cool sound that punctuates the record nicely – and titles include "Ainda Bem", "Verdade Uma Ilusao", "Lencinho Querido", "Descalco No Parque", "Depois", and "O Que Voce Quer Saber De Verdade". LP, Vinyl record album

By the mid 70s, Elis Regina had transformed from being a simple and strong bossa singer, into one of Brazil's best-ever singers – with a complicated emotional style that ranges with some of the best work of the 20th century (and we'd include singers like Sinatra, Scott Walker, and Jacques Brel in that territory!) This "best of" set was put together by Elis' longtime compatriot Roberto Menescal, and it features some of the best moments from her massive Philips albums of the early and mid 70s. Titles include "Atras Da Porta", "Mucuripe", "Como Nossos Pas", "Folhas Secas", "Voce", "E Com Esse Que Eu Vou", "Nada Sera Como Antes", and "Madalena". CD

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A mixed bag of tracks from Gary – but a really nice record overall, one that has him stretching out in the Atlantic years! 3 of the album's tracks were recorded live in Montreux, the others were recorded back in New York – and Gary plays a variety of instruments in addition to vibes, including electric piano, organ, and piano. Tracks are a mixture of modern and hippy, and titles include "Moonchild/In Your Quiet Place", "The Sunset Bell", "Hullo Bolinas", "General Mojo's Well Laid Plan", and "Chega De Saudade". CD

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". CD

A beautiful early album by Elizete Cardoso – arguably one of the first bossa nova records ever, and a set that features some great early tracks penned by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius De Moraes! The record is a haunting showcase for the genius of Jobim and Vinicius, and it includes early recordings of many many tracks that have now become bossa standards – like "Chega De Saudade", "Outra Vez", "Modinha", "Janelas Abertas", and "Cancao Do Amor Demais". The orchestrations are beautiful – arranged by Jobim, who also plays piano – and featuring a bit of guitar from Joao Gilberto, amidst flute, trombone, trumpet, and a bit of strings. Elizete's voice is richer and more emotional than that of most of the later bossa divas – and the record is a key link in a number of Brazilian musical traditions! CD

Brazilian diva Elizeth Cardoso lays down a number of tracks recorded either with the Zimbo Trio, or with Jacob Do Bandolim. The Zimbo tracks have a nice bossa feel, and the titles include "Cidade Vazia", "Abertura", "E Louxo So", "Tem Do", and "Derradeira Primavera". The cuts with Jacob Do Bandolim are a little more samba oriented, but have a nice groove. Those cuts include "Barracao", "Jamais", and "Mulata Assanhada". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Ron Carter on bass, Houston Person on tenor saxophone, Bill Frisell on guitar, Stephen Scott on piano, Payton Crossley on drums, and Steve Kroon on percussion. Tracks include "Manha De Carnaval", "Goin' Home", "Samba De Orfeu", and the Carter originals "Saudade", "Obrigado", and "1:17 Special". CD

A Brazilian singer with a hell of a voice – the lovely Helena De Lima, whose vocal range really fits the lush moods of the tunes on the set! Things are in a more melancholy look than you'd guess from Helena's look on the cover – a nice sort of blueness that's never too overdone, and which has a good balance between the lead vocals and the woodwinds and strings used in the backings. Arrangements are by Ruben Pocho Peren – an overlooked sophisticated talent – and titles include "So So So", "Fio De Cancao", "Flor Da Noite", "Cravo Vermelho", "Balada De Saudade", "Vai", "Pierrot", "Por Onde Eu Vou", and "Boa Noite Rio". LP, Vinyl record album

A live and lively little bossa vocal set – recorded at the Cangaceiro nightclub, with backing by a really great small combo! The style here is similar to other live bossa jazz sets from the time – such as Elis Regina's classic with the Zimbo Trio – and although Helena's vocal style is a bit full and sometimes emotive, the spontaneous nature of the performance really helps keep things lean and clean! The combo here is named after the club – and features Raul Mascarenhas on piano and supposedly Rildo Hora on a bit of harmonica – although he doesn't seem to appear on the record as much as the cover might indicate. Titles include "Oitavo Botequim", "Penumbra", "Ponto E Chuva", "Aconteceu", "Desilusao", "Verdade Da Vida", and 2 longer "Pot-Pourri" tracks. LP, Vinyl record album

The name, and the title, give the whole game away – as Eliane performs a set of older Brazilian tunes, all in that wonderful light-hearted style of hers! About half the tracks feature Eliane on vocals, the rest just piano – working with players that include Eddie Gomez, Jack DeJohnette, Marc Johnson, Oscar Castro-Neves, and Nana Vasconcelos. The overall style is a bit bossa, a bit MPB – but overall, mostly jazz-based – as Eliane uses older standards like "Chega De Saudade", "Passarim", "Waters Of March", "Garota De Ipanema", and "Cravo E Canela" to work out some warm and jazzy stylings. The tracks are collected from older albums, but come together very nicely as a unified set! CD

An overlooked gem from the Verve bossa years – a session that features the sweet tenor sax work of Stan Getz, alongside some swinging bossa arrangements from the great Gary McFarland! Given the strength of Gary's own work for Verve at the time, it's no surprise that he's a perfect accompanist for Getz on the session – working with just the right amount of space to let Stan stand out from the pack, and really creating a great blend of Brazilian rhythms and some of the modder 60s styles at Verve. Gary contributed a number of originals to the session too – and titles include "Bim Bom", "Manlancolico", "Balanco No Samba", "Noite Triste", "Chega De Saudade", and "Manha De Carnival". LP, Vinyl record album

A treasure – some of the first and best bossa nova work ever recorded! This completely essential set compiles most of Joao Gilberto's early recordings for the EMI/Odeon label in Brazil – remarkably influential tracks recorded from the years 1958 to 1961, featuring a young Joao on guitar and vocals, warmly carving out the bossa nova sound that would go on to influence generations of musicians, and which still remains some of his greatest recorded work ever! 38 tracks in all – with titles that include "Chega De Saudade", "O Pato", "E Luxo So", "Brigas Nunca Mais", "Saudade Fez Um Samba", "Trenzinho", "Este Seu Olhar", "Lobo Bobo", "O Barquinho", "Trevo De 4 Folhas", and "Aos Pes Da Cruz". CD

Outstanding Dizzy Gillespie material – from one of his most overlooked periods! The time is the mid 60s, and after a few years of working with Lalo Schifrin in his group, Dizzy's changed his Latin bag from hard-edged Cubop to mellower more complicated Bossa and modal jazz. The result is some of the most sophisticated playing in Dizzy's career – hitched to a groove that's still filled with soul and fire, and which rolls on in a compelling way that always hooks us hard! The group features Kenny Barron on piano, and reed work by James Moody, one of the other great secrets of the mid 60s! Tracks are all long – and titles include "One Note Samba", "Con Alma", "Umh, Umh", and "Chega De Saudade". CD

A lost bossa jazz classic from Dizzy Gillespie – recorded at a time when Lalo Schifrin was working in his combo! The record's got a cool, laidback kind of groove – one that's miles away from Gillespie's earlier bop work, and which shows him opening up his rhythmic conception strongly in the 60s. Rhythms are percolated by the piano of Schifrin, guitar of Bola Sete, bass of Chris White, and some well-chosen added percussion work – and the overall groove is one of the best American takes on the bossa jazz sound of the time, delivered with wonderful horn work from Dizzy on trumpet, Leo Wright on flute and alto, and Charlie Ventura on tenor! Even familiar tunes are transformed by the sound – and titles include "In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town", "Careless Love", "Taboo", "One Note Samba", "Pergunte Ao Joao", and "Chega de Saudade". CD

A very cool Japanese version of this mighty groover from the great Nico Gomez! Nico's known for his harder pounding tracks that have become favorites with the funky crowd, but this stellar album shows that Nico could also work in jazzier territory when he wanted to – as the album's a wonderful batch of tunes that mix together Latin, groovy, and bossa styles! There's some very nice wordless female vocals on a few cuts, scatting along with a warm breezy feel – and other tracks feature vibes, or guitar, sax, and other strong instrumental elements – with more than enough punch to be funky at a few points. The whole thing's as groovy as groovy can be – with a sound that's past bossa, and way more than any fake easy instrumental attempt at the genre – a real peep into the mad mind of Nico Gomez, and proof that his albums are always worth tracking down! Titles include "Din Din Din", "Aquarela", "Samba De Rio", "Saudade Do Rio", "Agua", "Rio", and "O Barquinho". CD

A very cool Japanese version of this mighty groover from the great Nico Gomez! Nico's known for his harder pounding tracks that have become favorites with the funky crowd, but this stellar album shows that Nico could also work in jazzier territory when he wanted to – as the album's a wonderful batch of tunes that mix together Latin, groovy, and bossa styles! There's some very nice wordless female vocals on a few cuts, scatting along with a warm breezy feel – and other tracks feature vibes, or guitar, sax, and other strong instrumental elements – with more than enough punch to be funky at a few points. The whole thing's as groovy as groovy can be – with a sound that's past bossa, and way more than any fake easy instrumental attempt at the genre – a real peep into the mad mind of Nico Gomez, and proof that his albums are always worth tracking down! Titles include "Din Din Din", "Aquarela", "Samba De Rio", "Saudade Do Rio", "Agua", "Rio", and "O Barquinho". LP, Vinyl record album

You probably know the music – as the record got a lot of press when it came out – but in case you don't, some tracks feature Herbie Hancock and Christian McBride backing Joe up, and others have Eliane Elias and Oscar Castro-Neves. Titles include "Boto", "Felicidade", "Passarim", and "Photograph". CD

An assortment of tracks recorded by Jobim during his classic years – featuring an assortment of "convidados", or guests, that rank among some of the best Brazilian artists of the time! The set brings together work from many corners of Jobim's work for Universal, Philips, and Verve – and titles include "Chovendo Na Roseira" and "Aguas De Marco", done with Elis Regina; "Pra Dizer Adeus" and "Luiza", done with Edu Lobo; "Por Toda Minha Vida" and "A Felicidade", done with Nelson Riddle; "Saudade da Bahia" done with Dorival Caymmi; and "Tema De Amor Por Gabriela" done with Gal Costa. CD

Brilliant 70s material by Antonio Carlos Jobim – one of his key sets from the middle part of the decade that had the composer really deepening his approach to both singing and songwriting – moving past some of the more instrumental modes that he was using at the start of the decade! There's a richness to the songs that goes way past simple bossa styles – and the lyrical brilliance shows that Jobim hardly ever needed a poet or co-writer to help him hit the heights – as he really wins us over with his words as much as his music. Claus Ogerman produced, and gives things the right balance between fullness and space in the charts – which allows both a great focus on Antonio's vocal style – expressive, but very down to earth – and a few nice solos on Fender Rhodes too! Titles include "Saudade Do Brasil", "Correnteza", "Boto", "Ligia", "Valse", "Arquitetura De Morar", and "O Homem". CD

Brilliant work from one of our favorite Brazilian artists ever – a singer who only seems to get better with age, and who's working here with some beautiful help from Dori Caymmi! Caymmi plays guitar and sings on a good portion of the album with Joyce – helping to flesh out the overall sound and give it a bit more depth – taking Joyce's already-wonderful mix of breezy vocals, bossa rhythms, and light guitar, and inflecting it with a strong sense of history and tradition. With Dori on board, Joyce is actually freed from playing guitar on most of the record – a feature that seems to bring even more force to her vocals – and as usual, husband Tutty Moreno is in the group, providing some lightly dancing rhythms on the drum kit! Titles include "Mercador De Siri", "Rio Bahia", "Jogo De Cintura", "Saudade Da Bahia", "Demoro", "Pra Que Chorar", "Joaozinho Boa Pinta", and "Flor Da Bahia". CD

One of the biggest jazz albums of the 60s – and a crucial crossover set from the legendary Ramsey Lewis trio! The record's a live one, which gives the group a perfect chance to show off their special genius – not just soulful grooves from Ramsey on piano, but wickedly sharp and playful basslines from the great Eldee Young, and equally inventive work on drums from Redd Holt – both fantastic players who would soon break out on their own as Young Holt Unlimited! There's a surprising mix of modes on the record, too – as Ramsey begins with the group's classic reading of "The In Crowd" – formerly a soul tune, but maybe more of a hit here in their instrumental reading – then runs through material that really showcases the creative depth of the group, on titles that include "Love Theme From Spartacus", "Felicidade", "Come Sunday", and "You Been Talkin Bout Me Baby". CD features 2 non-LP bonus tracks! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the biggest jazz albums of the 60s – and a crucial crossover set from the legendary Ramsey Lewis trio! The record's a live one, which gives the group a perfect chance to show off their special genius – not just soulful grooves from Ramsey on piano, but wickedly sharp and playful basslines from the great Eldee Young, and equally inventive work on drums from Redd Holt – both fantastic players who would soon break out on their own as Young Holt Unlimited! There's a surprising mix of modes on the record, too – as Ramsey begins with the group's classic reading of "The In Crowd" – formerly a soul tune, but maybe more of a hit here in their instrumental reading – then runs through material that really showcases the creative depth of the group, on titles that include "Love Theme From Spartacus", "Felicidade", "Come Sunday", and "You Been Talkin Bout Me Baby". CD features 2 non-LP bonus tracks! LP, Vinyl record album

Classic raw Brazilian grooves from Ary Lobo – a key force in the development of forro music at the end of the 50s, and an artist who's got a legendary status that's all his own! The rhythms romp along with a great deal of energy – a bit in samba territory, but with some of the rootsier modes that were coming into Colombian and Peruvian styles at the time – all topped with Lobo's fantastic vocals, which have a raspy soulfulness that transcends language – and laced with his wickedly sharp accordion solos, used in a way that's very different than any American use of the instrument in the 50s. The set brings together some of the best tracks from his early RCA albums – and titles include "Bate Malva", "Visite O Terreiro", "O Criador", "Sinha Olimpia", "Movimento Da Cidade", "Pedida A Sao Jorge", "Batuque De Indio", and "Meus Guardados". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful album of sad-tinged bossa tunes sung by the enigmatic Ana Lucia – a really great vocalist who gets superb backings here from Oscar Castro Neves and the Zimbo Trio! The style of the album is slightly more emotive than the usual bossa album of the time – with a dreamy approach to the vocals that reminds us of some of our favorite French or Italian singers of the early 60s, all nicely juxtaposed with a mixture of jazz and string arrangements from Castro-Neves, and produced with a light and floating finish. There's kind of a watery brilliance to the whole thing that really matches the look of the cover – and titles include "Amei Tanto", "Andam Dizendo", "Acalanto", "Derradeira Primavera", "Valsa De Euridice", "Homem De Verdade", and "Tem Do". CD

Herbie Mann's groove is mighty darn great here – a rich refinement of his earlier flute jazz styles, into the tighter sound that really sparkled with soul during the Atlantic Records years of the 60s! Most cuts mix Latin rhythms with some very soulful inflections in the overall instrumentation – with arrangements from Herbie, Oliver Nelson, and Rene Hernandez that really make the whole thing shine – and instrumentation from a tight group of hip players that features Dave Pike on vibes, Don Friedman on piano, Atilla Zoller on guitar, and added percussion by Willie Bobo and Patato Valdez! Titles include "Vikki", "Blues In The Closet", "Saudade De Bahia", "Spanish Grits", "Mushi Mushi", and "Soul Guajira". LP, Vinyl record album

Whimsical samba tunes from Germano Mathias – recorded with backing by Jorge Costa, and a strong, full production mode that really keeps the tracks going strong. Titles include "Maria Espingardina", "Baiano Capoeira", "Desigualdade", "Vaidosa", "Lar Sem Pao", "Requebrado Diferente", "Baile Do Risca Faca", and "O Presidente Jurou". CD

A rare session by Vinicius – featuring a 1970 recording in Buenos Aires – with Maria Creuza and Toquinho. Creuzza was at her best during the early 70s – and working here with the classic bossa team of poet Vinicius De Moraes and guitarist Toquinho, she really sparkles with a sound that's some of her best singing on record. The trio sing separately or together from track to track – and the set includes a lot of great work that's in the Black Orpheus or Afro Sambas mode. Titles include "Canto De Osshana", "A Felicidade", "Tomara", "Canto De Osshana", "Minha Namorada", "Valsa Da Tunisia", "Lamento No Morro", and a great version of Caetano Veloso's "Irene"! LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet funky classic from 70s Brazil – one of those records that's found thousands of funky fans over the decades – and which still continues to please! The set's the best-ever from Orlandivo – a soulful singer whose set up perfectly here with funky backings from the great Joao Donato – working on organ and Fender Rhodes for the set, and hitting the same soulful styles as his own great 70s albums! Grooves have a sunny feel, but these jazz funk undercurrents that are completely infectious – wicked interplay between the bass and drums, guitar and keyboards – set to vocals from Orlandivo that clearly borrow some of Jorge Ben's soulful influence too. Other players include Sivuca on accordion, Durval Ferreira on guitar, and Helcio Milito on percussion – and titles include "Um Abraco No Bengil", "Palladium", "A Felicidade", "Tudo Joia", "Juazeiro", and "Bolinha De Sabao" – plus the great "Tamaco No Samba", which is a thinly disguised version of "Samba Blim". CD

Contemporary work from Brazil, but a set that recalls some of our favorite soulful sounds from that scene in the 80s – particularly that moment when influences from American R&B and Cali styles were brought back to Brazil, and served up with all sorts of sweet homegrown touches! Quinhones has a nice rasp in his vocals – a quality that furthers the charm of the vocals, and helps them transcend the boundaries of language – as do the well-crafted keyboards on the set, which always seem to find the right sort of vibe to support the lyrics. Titles include "Sweet Narciso", "Seus Olhos Vidrados", "Cidade Narciso", "O Rio Continua Rindo", "Agua Salgada", and "Mentira Anestesia". Japanese CD features four bonus tracks – "Gota", "Garota Manga", "Parafuso", and "Toda Manha". CD

Not the same Maria Rita that rose to international fame in the past decade or so – but an earlier, much more obscure singer with a nicely rootsy vibe – one whose presence in the Brazilian music scene is maybe more welcome to our ears than her famous later namesake! The album came out at the end of the 80s, but has a sound that feels more like the experimental generation of MPB in the 70s – some moments that have the brashness of Gal Costa around her India album, other moments of gentleness that recall the sensitive soul of Joyce, and maybe a few slight touches of the deeper drama of Maria Bethania – and yet, like all of those artists, this Maria Rita is very much her own person – as can easily be heard by the lack of pop production or commercial efforts on this very unique album. Titles include "Cantico Brasileiro No 1", "Cancao Da Gaora", "Lamento Africano/Rictus", "A Cidade", "Melodia De Veludo", and "Trilhas". CD

Not the same Maria Rita that rose to international fame in the past decade or so – but an earlier, much more obscure singer with a nicely rootsy vibe – one whose presence in the Brazilian music scene is maybe more welcome to our ears than her famous later namesake! The album came out at the end of the 80s, but has a sound that feels more like the experimental generation of MPB in the 70s – some moments that have the brashness of Gal Costa around her India album, other moments of gentleness that recall the sensitive soul of Joyce, and maybe a few slight touches of the deeper drama of Maria Bethania – and yet, like all of those artists, this Maria Rita is very much her own person – as can easily be heard by the lack of pop production or commercial efforts on this very unique album. Titles include "Cantico Brasileiro No 1", "Cancao Da Gaora", "Lamento Africano/Rictus", "A Cidade", "Melodia De Veludo", and "Trilhas". LP, Vinyl record album

A mad mix of loud guitar, wild samples, and heavy Brazilian percussion – all nicely topped with the soulful vocals of Chico Science! The record's one of the group's earlier ones, and it's filled with a sense of raw power and experimentation that easily demonstrates why the band grabbed so much attention so quickly. Forget all those cliches you keep hearing about the postmodern power of Tropicalia – this stuff's equally as complex, and filled with bits and pieces you wouldn't even imagine! Titles include "Da Lama Ao Caos", "Salusatiano Song", "Riso Flora", "Coco Dub", "Rios, Pontes & Overdrives", and "A Cidade", which has a nice little snippet from Mark E Smith! LP, Vinyl record album

Legendary Brazilian rocker Raul Seixas is at the top of his game here – stepping to the head of the stage in front of a very approving crowd, as he shifts between mostly Portuguese vocals and a few English language moments too – especially when he's stepping back into an earlier generation of the music! Yet throughout the set, Seixas has that ragged star power that made him such an important force in the Brazilian scene after his departure from Secos E Molhados – as you'll hear on titles that include "Metamorfose Ambulante", "Rock Das Aranhas", "Gita/Ouro De Tolo/Eu Nasci Ha Dez Mil Anos Atras", "Sociedade Alterniva", and "Rock Do Diaro". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredibly untapped world of cinematic jazz – pulled from an array of Spanish films of the late 50s and early 60s – most of which have soundtracks as dynamic as work coming from France or Italy at the time! A good portion of the tracks here are scored by Jose Sola – who seems to draw inspiration from some of the west coast jazz soundtracks of the 50s – work by Elmer Bernstein, Shorty Rogers, Leith Stevens, and others – blending standout soloists with fuller backings, but in a way that matches the stark energy of the images on the screen! The CD's an unusual one in that many of the tunes are quite long – upwards of 10 minutes, and very different than the shorter snippets of jazz you might get on other soundtrack efforts from the same generation – and some numbers keep in bits of the dialogue, presenting the music with sound that's more "cinematic" than straight studio recording. Solo instruments include a fair bit of trumpet and alto sax – and the package comes with a great booklet with notes in English and Spanish, plus images from the films. Titles include "Un Vaso De Whisky", "A Sangre Fria", "Altas Variedades", "Los Cuervos", "Regresa Un Desconocido", and "El Salario Del Crimen" by Jose Sola; plus "091 Policia Al Habla" by Augusto Alguero, "Juventud A La Intemperie" by Enrique Escobar, and "A Tiro Limpo" by Federico Martinez Tudo. CD

A tremendous debut from Tunico – a record that seems certain to begin an amazing legacy in Brazilian music – at a level that has this young musician easily rivaling some of our favorites from the past! The set's got this way of mixing earthy roots with very modern arrangements – all set to warmly jazzy instrumentation, at a level that recalls some of our favorite early 70s experiments by artists like Edu Lobo, Hermeto Pascoal, or Airto – especially the latter two right after they'd left the group Quarteto Novo! Tunico himself plays guitar, and both alto and soprano sax – and the tunes have this way of soaring and gliding wonderfully – rhythms that are very organic, but inflected with all sorts of other unusual phrasing on instruments by the leader and other members of the group – more guitar, plus keyboards, flute, bass, and plenty of percussion. The whole thing's extremely beautiful, with a quality that's hard to put into words – and titles include "Decolagem", "Sambola", "Solar Das Hortencias", "Saudade Do Sucupira", "Galope", and "O Que Vira". CD

A tremendous debut from Tunico – a record that seems certain to begin an amazing legacy in Brazilian music – at a level that has this young musician easily rivaling some of our favorites from the past! The set's got this way of mixing earthy roots with very modern arrangements – all set to warmly jazzy instrumentation, at a level that recalls some of our favorite early 70s experiments by artists like Edu Lobo, Hermeto Pascoal, or Airto – especially the latter two right after they'd left the group Quarteto Novo! Tunico himself plays guitar, and both alto and soprano sax – and the tunes have this way of soaring and gliding wonderfully – rhythms that are very organic, but inflected with all sorts of other unusual phrasing on instruments by the leader and other members of the group – more guitar, plus keyboards, flute, bass, and plenty of percussion. The whole thing's extremely beautiful, with a quality that's hard to put into words – and titles include "Decolagem", "Sambola", "Solar Das Hortencias", "Saudade Do Sucupira", "Galope", and "O Que Vira". LP, Vinyl record album

The first album by Marcos Valle after years and years away from the studio – a set that really reintroduced his talents to a whole new generation! The set was recorded for the Far Out label in London – a then-new imprint who were doing a great job to bring back a Brazilian groove that had been lost since the 70s – and Valle was one of a few key artists they had a big hand in reviving! The record's got a great modern bossa nova feel, with a good electric sound, and lots of nice moody grooves on piano and guitar, plus nice vocals by Marcos himself – sounding a bit older than on his 80s soul records, but in a way that really makes the album crackle with charm! Titles include "Novo Visual", "Nordeste", "Bar Ingles", "Bahia Blue", "Cidade Aberto", and a remake of "Vontage De Rever Voce". CD

The first album by Marcos Valle after years and years away from the studio – a set that really reintroduced his talents to a whole new generation! The set was recorded for the Far Out label in London – a then-new imprint who were doing a great job to bring back a Brazilian groove that had been lost since the 70s – and Valle was one of a few key artists they had a big hand in reviving! The record's got a great modern bossa nova feel, with a good electric sound, and lots of nice moody grooves on piano and guitar, plus nice vocals by Marcos himself – sounding a bit older than on his 80s soul records, but in a way that really makes the album crackle with charm! Titles include "Novo Visual", "Nordeste", "Bar Ingles", "Bahia Blue", "Cidade Aberto", and a remake of "Vontage De Rever Voce". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Sadao Watanbe's excellent late 60s bossa albums – beautifully rich, but mellow readings of bossa nova numbers – in a way that takes music that had already been introduced to Japan a few years earlier, and gives it even wider exposure with Sadao's wonderfully soulful, jazz-based approach! Sadao plays both flute and alto sax – and backing is from a small combo that mixes in Brazilian-styled guitar and percussion next to the piano from Masabumi Kikuchi and drums from Masahiko Togashi – who you'll know from other Japanese jazz of the time! Watanabe's reeds have a raspy, off-kilter quality that's almost more human than many Brazilian jazz efforts of the time – and titles include "O Grande Amor", "Felicidade", "Here's That Rainy Day", "Agua De Beber", "White Wave", "From Russia With Love" and "So Danca Samba". CD

A record of incredible beauty from the great Leo Wright – and one that we'd never part with at all! Wright's one of those excellent players from the 60s who never really gets his due – largely because he was always hiding behind larger groups, and because he left the US in the decade for an extended stint in Europe. Still he cut some fantastic early work with both Dizzy Gillespie and Lalo Schifrin – and this album captures him right during the peak of that early period! The record features light lively backing from a quartet that includes Kenny Burrell on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, and Rudy Collins on drums – and some tracks have a beautifully groovy sound that's slightly bossa, slightly soul jazz. One of the best of these is Wright's great cover of "A Felicidade", but the record contains many other great moments, like "The Wiggler", "Tali", "Sassy Lady", and "Dionysis". CD

Classic mid 80s dancehall from Yellowman! Production by Henry Junjo Lawes, backing by Roots Radics and rhythms laid down at Channel One – often the recipe for greatness – and that's on the menu here. Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt came at an inarguable peak for Yellowman, with unstoppable rhythms and Yellowman's brilliant way of delivering gruff lyricism in an approachable way. Revolutionary material from an icon at a creatively crucial peak. Titles include "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt", "Strictly Mi Belly", "Wreck A Pum Pum", "Hill & Gully Rider", "Bedroom Mazuka", "Good Loving", "Body Move", and "Watch Your Words". LP, Vinyl record album

A record with "samba" in the title, but a set that hardly sounds like samba at all – given that the record is one of the groundbreaking 70s albums from the legendary Tom Ze! Ze first rose to fame as an experimentalist in the Tropicalia scene – but here, he's years past that movement, yet still one of its most creative proponents – working in a mode that takes older Brazilian rhythms and infuses them with all the new sounds, styles, and sense of poetry that Tom was bringing to his music – often quite playful, but at a level that's quite moving as well. The whole thing's got the subtle "beyond language" power of some of the best by Caetano Veloso – even though Tom Ze is completely his own man throughout. The set features arrangements from Jose Briamonte, production from Heraldo Do Monte, and titles that include a rootsy take on "A Felicidade", plus the nutty instrumental "Tom", and the original tracks "So", "Ma", "Vai", "Ui", "Indice", "Hein", and "Mae". LP, Vinyl record album

A later album by the Zimbo boys, but which still has the Trio playing in their classic bossa style, and in a tribute to Jobim that's got them doing some of his best compositions, like "Wave", "Garota de Ipanema", "So Danco Samba", "Felicidade", and "Chega De Saudade". The sound is still acoustic – although the production's sweetened things up a bit – and the band hasn't lost any of their bossa flair over the years! LP, Vinyl record album

David Byrne waited a full decade before giving the world a follow up to his original Beleza Tropical collection of funky Brazilian music – yet during that time, it's also clear that he learned a lot more about the scene – and was able to pick up on some very hip artists who were much more contemporary than the first time around! The record has a fair bit of late 90s gems from a time when Brazilian music was really catching fire again – inspired both by its own experiments of the past, and new attention to its more groundbreaking styles by artists up north – which then seemed to let loose a new era of fresh sounds and styles! The set's got a total of 15 tracks in all – and titles include "O Seu Olhar" by Arnaldo Antunes, "Coriosidade" by Tom Ze, "Tanacara" by Gonzaguinha, "Balanca Pema" by Marisa Monte, "Acho" by Carlos Carega, "Bog La Bog" by Carlinhos Brown, "Pregoes Do Rio" by Moleque De Rua, "Batuque" by Daniela Mercury, "Hoje Eu Quero Sair So" by Lenine, and "Rios, Pontes, & Overdrives" by Chico Science. LP, Vinyl record album

New recordings of bossa classics – done in a sparkling modern style, but still with a relatively classic groove. Roberto Menescal arranged most of the tracks, and also plays guitar on many numbers – and performers include Marcos Valle, Claudette Soares, Leny Andrade, Cladia Telles, Tito Madi, Os Cariocas, and Carlos Lyra. Includes "Samba De Aviao", "Pode Ir", "Samba De Verao", "Nos E O Mar", "O Barquihno", "Chega De Saudade", and "Lobo Bobo". Nice stuff, and kind of in the Lumiar vein. CD

It's no secret that the city of Rio De Janeiro has an amazing musical legacy – one that began in the years before bossa nova became their calling card in the 60s, through so many musical revolutions in the 70s – on up to the current day, when the city is still abuzz with all sorts of amazing and fresh musical styles! Not long ago, we were very plugged into the sound of Rio through countless great records issued on the Brazilian scene – but more recently, things have gone digital and a bit more underground – which makes a collection like this such an essential way of keeping in touch with the music – a really well-done collection that shows just how much has been happing in Brazil in recent years! There's definitely echoes of older styles in the music, but they resonate with a freshness that's amazing – with qualities that make each new tune on the set a real delight – in a lineup that features titles that include "Sigo Num Site/Marmore" by Rosabege, "Vento De Bierada" by Dora Morelenbaum, "Bandeide" by Troa, "Gigolo" by Jonas Sa, "Soar Estranho" by Tiago Nassif, "Cliche" by Pedro Fonte, "Saudade"b y Ana Frango Electrico, "Avos De Experienca" by Exercito De Bebes, "Briga De Familia" by Vovo Bebe, "Apreco Antigo" by Le Ameida, "Sambolero" by Os Ritmistas, and "Dois Litorais" by Joana Quieroz. CD

It's no secret that the city of Rio De Janeiro has an amazing musical legacy – one that began in the years before bossa nova became their calling card in the 60s, through so many musical revolutions in the 70s – on up to the current day, when the city is still abuzz with all sorts of amazing and fresh musical styles! Not long ago, we were very plugged into the sound of Rio through countless great records issued on the Brazilian scene – but more recently, things have gone digital and a bit more underground – which makes a collection like this such an essential way of keeping in touch with the music – a really well-done collection that shows just how much has been happing in Brazil in recent years! There's definitely echoes of older styles in the music, but they resonate with a freshness that's amazing – with qualities that make each new tune on the set a real delight – in a lineup that features titles that include "Sigo Num Site/Marmore" by Rosabege, "Vento De Bierada" by Dora Morelenbaum, "Bandeide" by Troa, "Gigolo" by Jonas Sa, "Soar Estranho" by Tiago Nassif, "Cliche" by Pedro Fonte, "Saudade"b y Ana Frango Electrico, "Avos De Experienca" by Exercito De Bebes, "Briga De Familia" by Vovo Bebe, "Apreco Antigo" by Le Ameida, "Sambolero" by Os Ritmistas, and "Dois Litorais" by Joana Quieroz. LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite record labels of all time finally gets its due – in a wonderful package that not only brings together some of the coolest cuts from the legendary French imprint Saravah Records, but also tells the story behind the company and it's groundbreaking approach to music! Saravah was born from the fame of Francis Lai's soundtrack for A Man & A Woman (Un Homme Et Une Femme), and from the lyrical contributions of Pierre Barouh – but immediately after, the company began pursuing a musical path like no other – taking on strands of jazz, world music, and the hippest styles in France – and creating new music that was unlike anything that had ever been recorded! Some of the best moments from the legendary label are here – including tracks that have the Art Ensemble of Chicago working with singers – Marva Broome on "Mystifying Mama", Alfred Panou on "Je Suis Un Sauvage", and Brigitte Fontaine on "Comme A La Radio" – plus more titles that include "Monsieur Chimpanze" by Michel Roques, "Sicilienne" by Maurice Vander, "Delhi Daily" by Baroque Jazz Trio, "Le Bruit Et Le Bruit" by Beatrice Arnac, "EDF Power" by EDF, "Trane's Call" by Georges Arvanitas, "Saudade" by Pierre Barouh & Baden Powell, "Je Jouais Le Piano" by Jacques Higelin, "Desert Angel" by Cohelmec Ensemble, and "80 AB" by Areski. CD

A really wicked compilation, of the sort that BBE first started doing back in the day – a mix of records that spans both scenes and generations, yet which come together with a beautifully integrated vibe! There's a warmth here that's undeniable – currents of jazz, Brazilian, acoustic soul, and more – all wrapped up with a sunny vibe that really makes the whole thing soar wonderfully, as strange musical bedfellows really find a great space to play together that's full of imagination, spirit, and plenty of soul! Titles include "Factory Rhythms" by Jr Quintet, "Life" by Bugs Beddow, "I Had A Friend" by Peter Gallway, "Palavras" by Caixa Cubo, "Mystery Of You" by Jeff Scott, "Place In Space" by Joe Thomas, "Heaven" by Crosswind, "Como Aprendi A Soportar Tus Inseguridades, "Easter Suite (edit)" by John Standefer & Friends, "California (Shawn Lee mix)" by Kirk Reed, "Make The Call (ext version)" by MF Robots, "Smile Upon Your Brother" by Ambassador College Band & New World Singers, and "I Know (demo version)" by Astronauts Etc. CD

A really wicked compilation, of the sort that BBE first started doing back in the day – a mix of records that spans both scenes and generations, yet which come together with a beautifully integrated vibe! There's a warmth here that's undeniable – currents of jazz, Brazilian, acoustic soul, and more – all wrapped up with a sunny vibe that really makes the whole thing soar wonderfully, as strange musical bedfellows really find a great space to play together that's full of imagination, spirit, and plenty of soul! Titles include "Factory Rhythms" by Jr Quintet, "Life" by Bugs Beddow, "I Had A Friend" by Peter Gallway, "Palavras" by Caixa Cubo, "Mystery Of You" by Jeff Scott, "Place In Space" by Joe Thomas, "Heaven" by Crosswind, "Como Aprendi A Soportar Tus Inseguridades, "Easter Suite (edit)" by John Standefer & Friends, "California (Shawn Lee mix)" by Kirk Reed, "Make The Call (ext version)" by MF Robots, "Smile Upon Your Brother" by Ambassador College Band & New World Singers, and "I Know (demo version)" by Astronauts Etc. LP, Vinyl record album

Cannonball Adderley recorded this nice little groover in 1962, when American musicans were just getting on the bossa tip, and still keeping things pretty authentic. The record was cut in New York with Sergio Mendes' early Bossa Rio group – the legendary Brazilian jazz ensemble that featured Paulo Moura, Dom Um Romao, and Durval Ferreira. The mixture of tight bossa rhythms and Cannon's soulful sax is totally great – and it's only because the Riverside label was folding at the time that the record never got bigger fame. Includes the cuts "Joyce's Samba", "Clouds", "Minha Saudade", "Corcovado", "Batida Diferentes", and "Sambops". LP, Vinyl record album

Hardly an "encore" of the first Stan Getz Jazz Samba album – as this set's got a slightly different feel, and lots of great elements that make it really unique! This time around, Brazilian musician Luiz Bonfa is on guitar – already a skilled proponent of the bossa by the time of the record, and arguably one of the few who really got it going back home in Rio. Stan's tenor sounds wonderful – as carefully and soufully blown as on the first set, but also with some new colors and tones too. Bonfa's wife Maria Toledo sings a bit on the record – hinting at Stan's work to come with Astrud Gilberto (this album was cut right before the Getz/Gilberto collaboration) – and the record also features added work on piano and guitar from the great Antonio Carlos Jobim – more than enough proof that the album's got a pure bossa pedigree! Titles include "Menina Flor", "Ebony Samba", "Saudade Vem Correndo", "Sambalero", "Samba De Duas Notas", and "Mania De Maria". LP, Vinyl record album

Bebel Gilberto's really grown a lot over the years – and here, she emerges strongly as a fully-formed artist with a voice that's all her own – and a style that doesn't need to rest on the laurels of her famous family legacy! The album's easily one of the most interesting we've ever heard from Bebel – and it's got this slight spiritual undercurrent that's a real change from just bossa modes – a richer, deeper sound that almost shows echoes of some of the more compelling jazz talents in recent years, yet while still balancing out just the right sort of lovely sound for the vocals! Bass is more pronounced than before – often acoustic, but with a rollingly deep quality – on performances by both Kassin and Liminha – and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson brings in some sweet strings at points, but in a very gentle, subtle way. Seu Jorge joins Bebel on the track "Novas Ideais" – and other titles include "Tout Est Bleu", "Tom De Voz", "Nada Nao", "Somwhere Else", "Lonely In My Heart", "Areia", and "Saudade Vem Correndo". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the wildest sets ever recorded by Japanese guitarist Ryo Kawasaki – and that's saying a lot, given some of his other work! The vibe here is fusion, but with a definite 80s spacey twist that's hinted at by the cover – as Kawasaki handles most of the instruments himself, mixing his cool guitar lines with keyboards, rhythm patterns, and other elements – all in a wonderful wave of sound, almost similar to some of the Japanese electronic instrumental work of the time, but still very jazz-oriented overall! Titles include a nice reading of "Concierto De Aranjuez" – plus "Cancion Del Fuego Fatuo", "Introduction From Schelomo", "A Felicidade", "Marilyn", "Mercy Of The Dragon", "Hawaiian Caravan", and "Twilight Song". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare session by Vinicius – featuring a 1970 recording in Buenos Aires – with Maria Creuza and Toquinho. Creuza was at her best during the early 70s – and working here with the classic bossa team of poet Vinicius De Moraes and guitarist Toquinho, she really sparkles with a sound that's some of her best singing on record. The trio sing separately or together from track to track – and the set includes a lot of great work that's in the Black Orpheus or Afro Sambas mode. Titles include "Canto De Osshana", "A Felicidade", "Tomara", "Canto De Osshana", "Minha Namorada", "Valsa Da Tunisia", "Lamento No Morro", and a great version of Caetano Veloso's "Irene"! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the few albums ever cut by singer Vi Velasco – and a great vocal follow-up to the Zoot Sims bossa albums on Colpix! Zoot plays tenor on this record too – mixing his solos with Vi's vocals in a style that's like the interplay between Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto – with a similar blend of American jazz and Brazilian roots! Arrangements are by Al Cohn and Manny Albam – and the players also include Marky Markowitz on trumpet and Jim Hall on guitar – who brings in some nice Brazilian flavors on his instrument. Titles include "Recado", "Tu E Eu", "Sem Saudades De Voce", "Exactamente Como Tu", "Nao Branques Com O Amor", and "Tenho Ritmo" – many of which are bossa versions of familiar tunes. LP, Vinyl record album

Great live material from 1974, recorded in Bahia, and featuring Caetano, Gal, and Gilberto Gil – each performing tracks on their own! The quality's better than a lot of other Brazilian live albums from the early 70s, and the album's a strong one in Caetano's early 70s catalog – showing his keenly collaborative presence at the time, and offering up one of the few important documents of work with Tropicalia contemporaries Gal Costa and Gilberto Gil! Caetano sings "Felicidade", "De Noite Na Cama", and "O Conteudo"; Gal performs "Acontece" and "Quem Nasceu"; and Gil rounds out the set with "Terremoto", "O Relogio Quebrou", "O Sonho Acabou", and "Cantigo Do Sapo". LP, Vinyl record album

The genius of Tom Jobim needs no introduction – which is one of many reasons why this loving set of tributes to his work is so great! The 16 track compilation is put together from a set of live performances dedicated to Jobim – and Brazilian singers of recent and classic vintage run through some of his greatest compositions in a warmly intimate setting. Titles include "Sem Voce" by Leila Pinheiro, "Garota De Ipanema" by Simone, "Corcovado" by Daniela Mercury, "A Felicidade" by Martinho Da Vila, "Insensatez" by Paulo Ricardo, "Aguas De Marco" by Joao Bosco, "Por Toda Minha Vida" by Ed Motta, "Wave" by Lenine, "Estrada Branca" by Chico Buarque, and "Luiza" by Carlinhos Brown. CD

Kind of a painful movie, but a pretty sweet soundtrack! The set features a number of new works produced by Deodato, very much in the spirit of his Inutil Paisagem 60s bossa recordings – with wonderfully complex airy melodies, and a touch so light you can't believe there's actually a conscious act behind the music. The new titles feature vocals by Barbara Mendes and Carol Rogers – and include "Samba De Uma Nota So", "Mary Ann's Theme", "Suddenly", "Soul Mates", "Amor Em Paz", and "Juan's Theme". Most of the rest of the CD features older work from Jobim's years at Verve and CTI – including the tracks "Wave", "Aguas De Marco", "Chega De Saudade", and "Inutil Paisagem". Also features a semi-painful duet between Jobim and Sting – ouch! CD

Early work from Colombian music legend Fruko, and a very different style than some of his later material – as you might guess from the album's cover image of a junkie shooting up in a graveyard! The sound here is more than dark enough to match that image – heavily percussion, with fast-snapping rhythms wrapped around deep basslines and lots of hard-edge piano – all at a level that feels more like early 60s Cuban descarga than some of the other Discos Fuentes material from the 70s! The horns are great when they step forward – and the vocals are wrapped perfectly around the excellent grooves – on titles that include "Descarga Fruko", "Bomba Africana", "Baho Kende", "Rumbo A La Cuidad", "Mi Verdadero Son", "A La Memoria Del Muerto", "Tihuanaco", and "La Fruta Bomba". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice set by Diz at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival – backed by a great group of players – released here for the first time ever! The set opens with a fiery day after, and the set takes some equally hard charging turns plus some relaxed moments, too – and includes some surprises, too. Big Black is killing it on congas for this set – and the other players include James Moody on flute and tenor, Kenny Barron on piano, Christopher White on bass and Rudy Collins on drums. Other titles include "Trinidad, Goodbye", "Poor Joe", "Night In Tunisia", "Ungawa" and "Gega De Saudade (No More Blues)", plus a fun comedy sketch in the middle. CD

Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic Verve session from 1963 – a tremendous record, done with a wonderful airy sound that became the trademark for bossa production in America – and which also had a great inspiration on the sound of mid 60s bossa in Brazil! Claus Ogerman arranged and conducts the orchestra, and Jobim plays guitar and piano – with a core group that also features Jimmy Cleveland on trombone and Leo Wright on flute, both American jazz players who help add some further complexities to the sound. Tracks include "Jazz Samba", "Favela", "O Morro", "Aqua De Beber", "Girl From Ipanema", and "Chega De Saudade". Packaged here in a beautiful two-tone Elenco cover – with a really classic look, and a different appearance than the Verve cover! CD

Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic Verve session from 1963 – a tremendous record, done with a wonderful airy sound that became the trademark for bossa production in America – and which also had a great inspiration on the sound of mid 60s bossa in Brazil! Claus Ogerman arranged and conducts the orchestra, and Jobim plays guitar and piano – with a core group that also features Jimmy Cleveland on trombone and Leo Wright on flute, both American jazz players who help add some further complexities to the sound. Tracks include "Jazz Samba", "Favela", "O Morro", "Aqua De Beber", "Girl From Ipanema", and "Chega De Saudade". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful set of symphonic tracks based around the work of Antonio Carlos Jobim – work that stretches back to the 50s, up through 60s bossa nova, and even includes some of Jobim's more complicated orchestrations from the 70s! The music is done in the arch-baroque style of other titles on the Biscoito Fino label – with a full symphony orchestra, smaller instrumental groupings, and even some strong vocal performances that drift in and out of the music. The set features re-interpretations of original arrangements by Jobim, Nelson Riddle, Deodato, Claus Ogerman, and others – and was put together by Paulo Jobim. Titles include "Lenda", "Macumba", "O Homem", "Saudade Do Brasil", "Matita Pere", "Chora Coracao", "Bangzalia", "Garota De Ipanema", and "Gabriela". Very nicely done 2CD set! CD

One of the greatest soundtracks ever – a record that set a whole new standard for audio representation of a film! The mad music for the set was composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with lyrics by Vincius De Moraes – and performed by Luiz Bonfa on guitar – but despite such prime bossa pedigree, the whole thing's got a sound that goes way beyond the familiar – a crazy mix of batucada percussion, samba rhythms, bossa guitar, and loads of sound effects from the film – so much so that the first half of the record is almost a sound-for-sound replication of the first 20 minutes of the movie! The sound collage is amazing – an extremely unique approach to soundtrack representation, and one that's never been done so beautifully since. A truly breathtaking record, filled with mindblowing sounds – and an early example of the genius that would explode in 60s music in Brazil. Some key bossa classics are represented here in early versions – including "Felicidade", "O Nosso Amor", and "Manha De Carnaval" – but they're wrapped up in odd sounds and rhythms that really make them sound different! Plus, this CD also includes a 13-minute medley of tracks from the score, performed by Bola Sete at the 1966 Monterey Jazz Fest! CD

One of the greatest soundtracks ever – a record that set a whole new standard for audio representation of a film! The mad music for the set was composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with lyrics by Vincius De Moraes – and performed by Luiz Bonfa on guitar – but despite such prime bossa pedigree, the whole thing's got a sound that goes way beyond the familiar – a crazy mix of batucada percussion, samba rhythms, bossa guitar, and loads of sound effects from the film – so much so that the first half of the record is almost a sound-for-sound replication of the first 20 minutes of the movie! The sound collage is amazing – an extremely unique approach to soundtrack representation, and one that's never been done so beautifully since. A truly breathtaking record, filled with mindblowing sounds – and an early example of the genius that would explode in 60s music in Brazil. Some key bossa classics are represented here in early versions – including "Felicidade", "O Nosso Amor", and "Manha De Carnaval" – but they're wrapped up in odd sounds and rhythms that really make them sound different! LP, Vinyl record album

Perhaps THE greatest Quincy Jones album of the 60s – a hard-swinging batch of big band bossa tunes – and one of the greatest American takes on the bossa sound ever! Quincy really brings a lot of soul to the set – syncopating the bottom end of the tunes to really bring out the rhythms, and working with a jazzy flourish of horns that creates all these quick and clever little turns in the tunes! The sound's been heard most famously on the incredible track "Soul Bossa Nova" – an original by Quincy for the set, which has gone onto much greater fame through its use in the film Austin Powers, and a bazillion TV commercials! But the whole album's great too – and other tracks include "Serenata", "Lalo Bossa Nova", "Boogie Bossa Nova", and "Chega De Saudade". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible early work by Nara Leao – some of the most groundbreaking vocals of the bossa era! The arrangements are by Luiz Eca, pianist of the Tamba Trio – and backing is by a small group that includes Eca, Dori Caymmi, and other jazz-tinged players. The overall quality of the backings sounds a lot more like an album recorded five years after the mid 60s – and Nara's mix of bohemian hip and honest bossa sincerity really makes the tracks sparkle wonderfully. Titles include "Samba Da Legalidade", "Canto Livre", "Corisco", "Carcara", "Aleluia", "Incelenca", and "Suite Dos Pescadores". LP, Vinyl record album