Amazing
bossa nova from 60s Brazil – a limited box set that features five classic
albums from the Elenco Records label, pressed up on very high quality vinyl!
Album #1 – the Vinicius & Odette Lara album from 1963 – a dream of a bossa
session! The lovely Odette Lara sings vocals – and the music was written by
Baden Powell and Vinicius De Morais, with arrangements by the great Moacir
Santos. The sound is perfect Elenco bossa – with lightly lilting orchestrations
that still have a lot of soul, and perfectly produced vocals drifting over the
top. Titles include "Astronauta", "Berimbau", "Seja
Feliz", "Samba Preludio", and "Alem Do Amor".
Album #2
– Nara Leao 1964 – Incredible early bossa material from one of Brazil's
greatest singers! The record is lively, yet sophisticated – with strong
arrangements by Gaya and Moacir Santos, and a vocal approach by Nana that
really moves past the sweeter sound of other bossa singers – into a mode that's
rich with feeling, without sounding too overwrought or overemotional – in sharp
contrast to the style of Brazilian divas from a few years before. Includes a
wonderful version of Santos' "Nana", plus the tracks "Cancao Da
Terra", "Consolacao", "Maria Moita", and
"Berimbau".
Album #3 – Caymmi Visita Tom – A landmark meeting of two
Brazilian generations! The older singer/songwriter Dorival Caymmi meets up with
Tom Jobim in this moody session of stripped-down tracks recorded in the famous
Elenco style – and the result is a classic album that spans two generations of
Brazilian music. Dorival brought along children Nana, Danilo, and Dori Caymmi
to the session, and the backing includes percussion by Edison Machando – an
guitar by Dori, and flute by Danilo. Tracks include "Sem Voce",
"Berimbau", "Tristeza De Nos Dois", "Vae De Vez",
and "Das Rosas".
Album #4 – Bossa Nova York – A rare early session
from Sergio Mendes – one that was recorded in New York, during a pre-66 visit
by his core trio – and augmented with guest horn work from Art Farmer, Phil
Woods, and Hubert Laws! Antonio Carlos Jobim plays a bit of guitar on the
album, and the set's a straighter set of jazz than you might expect – with
Sergio grooving hard on piano, and throwing in some light bossa touches to
tracks that include "Maria Moita", "Sambinha Bossa Nova",
"The Dreamer", "Primavera", "Favela", and
"Pau Brazil".
Album #5 – Vinicius & Caymmi No Zum Zum – An
amazingly beautiful album, recorded by Vinicius De Moraes, Dorival Caymmi,
Oscar Castro-Neves, and The Quarteto Em Cy for some sort of a special show.
Castro-Neves provides some excellent bossa backing, the Quarteto girls sing
chorus and over the top, Vinicius does some recitations, and Caymmi sings lead
vocals. If the whole thing sound's a bit heavy-handed, it's not – and instead
is an amazing batch of heavenly bossa-tinged tracks, with all the intelligence
and imagination of the best titles on the Elenco label. The whole thing's
extremely lively, and has an other-worldly sound that matches Vinicius' classic
Afro Sambas LP with Baden Powell. Tracks include "Bom Dia Amigo",
"Berimbau", "Historia De Pescadores", "Formosa",
"Broto Maroto", and "Aruanda". ~ Dusty Groove
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