Customer Reviews

Bossa Novaville: Ultra Lounge 14

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I noticed that all the reviews are pretty short, so I'll try and keep mine short, as well. I bought this album around seven or eight years ago when I was a bachelor and living in a 600 square foot backhouse. Because my personal dwelling space was so small, I wanted to create an illusion that my place was big, spacious and open and I did that not only through carefully choosing my furniture and accessories, but by creating a "big atmosphere" through the music I chose to play when I had guests over.

Whenever I played this CD at dinner parties I threw, people literally stopped and noticed the music. I had a few people snicker and say that the music was silly and outdated, but for the most part, people really seemed to enjoy it and paid less attention to the obvious fact that everyone was crammed in my little place like sardines in a can.

What I'm suggesting is that this music has a lot of heart, a lot of soul, a lot of punch for the buck. If you find yourself listening to the same old music, you might just want to pick up this CD and expose yourself to something so cool, it's hot.

This is one of the more danceable collections in the Ultra Lounge series. It makes some of the best music I've ever heard for housecleaning or other mundane tasks--put it on and suddenly you feel like it's a hot summer day in a steamy South American city. It also awakens in me a strange desire to play this music, loudly, while dancing in the spray from a broken fire hydrant. As far as lounge music goes, this is fairly upbeat stuff. It's not so conducive to chilling as some of the other volumes in this series; in fact, I dare anyone to keep still while it's playing. This is a solid buy, and a great introduction to the bossa nove style of music.

This CD is one of my all time favorites. It transports you to a tropical paradise as soon as you put it on. You can imagine yourself becoming part of the Jet-Set crowd and hopping on your intercontinental delight flight to Rio. Perfect for drives up and down the coast or just relaxing with your hipster pals at the beach. Shake that martini and listen to the hi-fi sounds of the supersonic cool!

If you like the Bossa Nova lounge sound, you will really like the variations on the theme here in Bossa-Novaville. So why stop at this ?? ....You must get the coolest of the Bossa-Nova CD's: THE COMPOSER PLAYS - On this CD you will find only orchestral versions of the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Jobim brought the Bossa Nova sound to America in the early sixties !! You will find it listed under Antonio Carlos Jobim. I owned the original LP in 1964 and now it is re-born as a CD. You will love it. !!

This is by far one of the best in the ultra hip, ultra cool, "Ultra Lounge" series. For those of you who are new to the "Ultra Lounge" experience, thsi CD will take you back in time to the 1960's lounge era. This CD in particular has a very relaxing feel to it and although there are some songs that may sound a little cheezy compared to the true authentic bossa nova music from the pioneers like Joćo & Astrud Gilberto or Antonio Carlos Jobim, it still delivers a good presentation of bossa nova inspired lounge songs. But some of the artists on this CD, such as Walter Wanderley, are in fact Brazilian. Finally, for those of you who are already familiar with the "Ultra Lounge" series, this is definitely one of the best in the entire series.

All of the songs on this album sound great with headphones. The stereo separation is very exaggerated as it is on most 60s stereo records, letting you experience the music from various points in your head. Most of the songs are instrumentals, so there are not many lyrics to distract you from the music. I have been listening to this album at bedtime, in the car and at work. This CD is perfect if you want to relax or just to be immersed with sweet-sounding, lush, orchestral-jazz bossa nova.

This CD is one of my all time favorites. It transports you to a tropical paradise as soon as you put it on. You can imagine yourself becoming part of the Jet-Set crowd and hopping on your intercontinental delight flight to Rio. Perfect for drives up and down the coast or just relaxing with your hipster pals at the beach. Shake that martini and listen to the hi-fi sounds of the supersonic cool!

Welcome to Bossa Novaville!

This is Bossa Nova music at its loveliest. Put this CD on and listen closely, sit back, relax, stay comfy and savor the beauty of this wonderful kind of music. Close your eyes and picture yourself in the pristine beaches of Rio on "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars."

This is an impressive collection of Bossa Nova tunes made popular by musical legends, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sergio Mendes, Laurindo Almeida, Ray Anthony, Walter Wanderley, Cannonball Adderley, among many other artists.

Laurindo Almeida shines and shows off his guitar artistry with his renditions of "Meditation," "Girl From Ipanema" and "Manha De Carnaval" (A Day In The Life of a Fool). As you listen, you will be delighted with the magic guitar of Howard Roberts on his performance of "Triste" accompanied by percussionist Claudio Miranda. Billy May and his Orchestra's take on "The Look of Love" is also a highlight and so with the last song and a bonus track, Julie London's charming version of "Fly Me To The Moon."

Wanda De Sah's voice is one of the loveliest voices I've ever heard. Her versions of "So Danco Samba" and "So Nice" are two of the tracks to beguile with. Her vocal style on "So Nice" blends perfectly with Sergio Mendes' brilliant piano playing.

You will also discover the artistry of trombonist Zi Zentner's and saxophonist Bill Perkin's with their interpretations of two of the most enchanting tunes from this collection, "Desafinado" and "Baia," respectively.

The most beautiful tune from this collection, to me, is "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" (Corcovado), saxophonist Cannonball Adderley shares the spotlight with Sergio Mendes in creating one of the most beautiful instrumental version of this gem of a melody. I could listen to this track endlessly and enjoy every minute of it.

Give it a listen and experience that fascinating sound that took America by storm in the sixties . . . "Blame it on the Bossa Nova!"

Meditation (Meditacáo) by Laurindo Almeida And The Bossa Nova All Stars is reason enough alone to buy this. And I think you know what I'm sayin'

Although I like all the tracks on this CD, I have a difficult time getting past the first (So Danco Samba). I keep playing it over and over. And over. Sometimes I forget just how great Denny's tracks on it are. And the perennial 'One Note Samba'. In a noisy world of angry or tedious tunes (and people), this is a sweet reminder of how pleasant 'pleasant music' can be. It's not a collection of elevator tunes. It's the real deal.