Record Reviews

STAN GETZ ~ THE BOSSA NOVA ALBUMS VERVE 754969 (Barcode: 602517549692) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1962 - 1963 Released: 2008 The Brazilian musical gift to the world – the Bossa Nova – is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, so it’s only natural to take a look at some classic recordings, which popularized the genre outside of its birthplace, namely the legendary Stan GetzFind albums by this artist recordings, which created a Bossa Nova craze in the US. Saxophonist Stan Getz was already an established Jazz player at the time these timeless albums were recorded, but his pioneering work with Brazilian musicians was a bold step, very unusual for the conservative US Jazz community. Although accused of commercialism and “selling out” by many of his peers and music critics, the fact that this music became so immensely popular with Jazz fans and even many non-Jazz listeners, has everything to do with the quality of the music, rather than the its accessibility. After all the Bossa Nova’s inherent beauty and mesmerizing rhythm are addictive and quite irresistible and the way Getz immersed himself totally in the music, creating a perfect amalgam of Jazz and the Brazilian music (a superb early example of Jazz-World Fusion) was phenomenal. Add to this the incredible tone of his saxophone, lush and clear, sweet as honey and yet highly intelligent and often innovative musically, and you get some classic music, which sounds forever fresh and moving, even if you heard some if it countless times before. This beautiful Box Set includes the five Bossa Nova albums Getz recorded for Verve in 1962 and 1963: “Jazz SambaFind albums with this title”, “Big Band Bossa NovaFind albums with this title”, “Jazz Samba Encore!Find albums with this title”, “Getz / GilbertoFind albums with this title” and “Getz / AlmeidaFind albums with this title”. Of these five albums, four are small combo recordings, where Getz plays opposite a guitarist: Charlie ByrdFind albums by this artist, Luiz BonfaFind albums by this artist, Joao GilbertoFind albums by this artist and Laurindo AlmeidaFind albums by this artist, respectively. The big band album features a large orchestra (with some of the best Jazz players of the time), conducted by Gary McFarlandFind albums by this artist, who also arranged the music. The legendary producer Creed TaylorFind albums by this artist produced all the albums. A few vocal tracks appear here, including the everlasting Astrud GilbertoFind albums by this artist‘s “The Girl From Ipanema”. In the 45 years that passed since these sessions were recorded, the music lost absolutely nothing of its charm and beauty and I still very much a source of great musical pleasure. Don’t get fooled by people, who label this music commercial or “sentimental”, this is essential stuff, which will outlast its critics.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 5 Digipak Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend