Customer Reviews

Pure Bossa Nova

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

 

 

This is early Sergio Mendes recorded in Brazil.

Set is made up by a rhythm section plus sax and trombone, leaded by Mendes at the piano. Players are the best in place and time of Rio de Janeiro, the capital and motherland of Bossa Nova, as shown in an apropriate black-and-white photograph. Time was the 60s before Mendes moved to America.

No vocals, no similarity with Sergio Mendes and Brazil'66.

This is great Jazz in Bossa Nova format.

A bunch of Bossa Nova classics compiled out from some of Mendes' Brazilian instrumental Bossa Jazz combo albums.

The previous reviewer is exactly right, the sound here is nothing like Mendes & Brasil '66. This is bossa nova bliss, and the Sergio Mendes I prefer and care to remember. Many of these tracks are from his albums Swinger From Rio and Beat of Brazil, which were released together in 1999 on CD by the Collectables label. However, the musical clarity on this disc is of a higher quality in my opinion, despite having less tracks. This compilation is a winner from start to finish, and is the place to start if interested in the early sound of Mendes or if you just want to hear great bossa nova. I'd give it ten stars if I could.

This is a great album, but I agree with other reviewers, this is not your classic Sergio Mendes or the bossa nova album you are expecting. Great versions of the famous songs, no vocals with a very strong Jazz influence, you could almost say that is a Jazz record with Bossa Nova influence. So be ready to be sorprised, but still it makes a wonderful album to listen to. So enjoy it... but at the end you might ask yourselft, is this Sergio Mendes???.

First,this is NOT Brazil 66 (which I love also). This is pure bossa nova, not done tongue and cheek. Really fabulous sounding CD. Sounds like 50s Cuba before Fidel...

I found out that the tremendous trombone player is Ed Maciel, as fast/great as the late Frank Rosolino. Should have asked Carlos about the flute player -- probably doubling-tripling on alto/tenor; also pretty darned terrific.
I will ask Carlos in a future e-mail -- had the distinct pleasure to meet the gentleman when in Rio last time (I suggest a Saturday AFTERNOON stop at Allegro Bistro in the Modern Sound complex -- his jazz friends meet there while digging some wonderful music - yeah, in the afternoon!!)
Enjoy!

Tracks are split between a trio and a big brass sound.Brass,in the lower register,take the forefront,both jazzy and smooth with,overall,elsewhere,flute being as prevalent as sax and trumpet (the flute is exclusive to the trio).Mendes leading from the piano,on all numbers.Drums and double bass; well presented,not drowned out.Some very good tracks: about half of the total; mostly the trio.Brass has to be very good to cut it,with me,these days.Fine musicians enjoying themselves.