Verve Jazz Masters 53: Bossa Nova Music

Average Rating:

The collaboration between Getz and Jobim was magical. Latin beats fused with jazz rhythms aren't revolutionary in 2001, but this was groundbreaking stuff in the early 60s. What's more the music sounds as fresh as ever.

Astrud Gilberto had no musical experience prior to the Getz/Jobim/Gilberto experiment, and it's a good thing that they let her sing. Her voice is sublime, and the live version of "The Girl From Ipanema" which is presented here is perfect. This CD strikes a nice balance between vocal and instrumental tracks to give a great overview of the genre, one of the most influential in modern music.

Everybody who's heard this CD has exclaimed "I have GOT to have that!" (Of course, if you only like high-intensity music, you won't like it.)

There's a moment soon after you first hit play and begin hearing the Astrud Gilberto's sublime voice, Jobim's guitar, and Getz's knee-buckling sax, that you realize that you're not just listening to good jazz, or even good music. Indeed, you are not listening to anything. You are on the musical equivalent of a magic carpet, with the world as just so much stardust, and time no longer a relevant concept.

This CD compilation is definitive Bossa Nova. You will probably never experience music which blends rhythm, harmony, and melody as well as what you'll find here. Getz's sax is absolutely incredible.