Bossa Nova [Hardcover]

Gilles Peterson (Editor), Stuart Baker (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2011

Spawned in the upscale beachside neighborhoods of Rio De Janeiro in the late 1950s, the laid-back sound and culture of Bossa Nova ("New Wave") rode on a brief wave of optimism in Brazil: the country had just elected a new president, a five-year plan for prosperity had been laid out and the great architect Oscar Niemeyer had proposed his plans for the new modern city of Brasilia. Reflecting this optimism in its gentle and sunny soundworld, Bossa Nova quickly became a worldwide musical phenomenon. (The first Bossa Nova single to achieve international popularity was of course the Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz hit "The Girl from Ipanema.") But by 1964, as Bossa Nova was taking America and the world by storm, tanks were thundering through Rio de Janeiro as the country fell under the rule of a violent military dictatorship that would affect the lives of musicians and ordinary Brazilians alike for the next 20 years. Retrieving the unique visual culture of this moment, Bossa Nova Beat features hundreds of stunning full-size record cover designs of Bossa Nova and later Brazilian music from the 1960s, such as M.P.B. (Musica Popular Brasileira) and Tropicalia. The book also comes complete with full accompanying text, essays and interviews on the historical, political and social context of this Brazilian music as well as features on all the important artists and musicians of the era such as Sergio Mendes, Tom Jobim, Jorge Ben, Elis Regina, Caetano Veloso and many more. As the first visual treatment of this now popular music, Bossa Nova Beat is both a pleasure and a revelation.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Soul Jazz Records Publishing; First edition (January 31, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0955481740
• ISBN-13: 978-0955481741
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 0.8 x 12.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Ethnic & International > International
  • #69 in Books > History > Americas > South America > Brazil
  • #75 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Ethnic & International > Ethnomusicology

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars album covers the way they were meant to be seen February 13, 2011

By C. Patrick

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

First get the CDs by the same name, then be sure to read this book. It's wonderful to see the designs in all their glory, and enlightening to read the historical context provided by the text (even though there are some egregious copyediting errors: "milandro" for "malandro"; a dropped "l" at the end of the word "label"; double spaces sprinkled throughout the text). But these are small quibbles indeed considering how enlightening and enjoyable I found the book to be.

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting study April 24, 2013

By Michelle

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is collection of album covers from the Bossa Nova age. There is a little bit of information about the period but really this book is for designers and die hard Bossa Nova geeks. The covers are gorgeous in a simple way since technology was limited.

There are better books about the artists and history out there. Good for coffee table eye candy.