I’m far from an expert on the topic of Bossa Nova and its origins so I won’t bother to try and explain its evolution. Once you hear it, you’re hooked and there’s no turning back. Bossa Nova demands your attention and involvement. It is impossible to listen to this music and not start stomping your foot and banging on the table or nearest bottle. At first you may drive those around you nuts but before too long, they too, are tapping their pencil on the side of their coffee mug and a massive percussion discussion is happening all around you.
Like most compilations on Soul Jazz, there’s an excellent mix of well known and obscure artists. Big names like Joao Gilberto, Sergio Mendes, Gilberto Gil and Antonio Carlos Jobim are represented while most of the other artists were unfamiliar to me. There are 17 songs per disc and not a single one is even close to a dud. How often does that happen? As an import, it’s a little bit pricey but you get excellent value for money on this package. The 74 page book is very interesting and has lots of great photos. There’s lots more I could say about this but I’d rather listen. Loud, too.
--Woody
buy here: Bossa Nova Rise of Brazilian Music in the 1960s
Buy here book: Bossa Nova
