We had an unusually hot and long summer. As the autumn breeze begins to blow, I listen to bossa nova masterpieces while reminiscing about the hot summer days. Instead of authentic Brazilian ones, I’ve selected three albums that are a bit jazzy and stylish.
#301 Masterpiece that Perfectly Blends Wanderley’s Exhilarating Performance with Astrud’s Cool Vocals
A Certain Smile A Certain Sadness / Astrud Gilberto & Walter Wanderley
(VERVE ⇒ Universal Music UCCU-6263)
Astrud Gilberto was hugely popular as the “Queen of Bossa Nova.” In 1966, she collaborated with organist and pianist Walter Wanderley, who had recently moved to the United States from Brazil, to record this album. This recording followed her 1963 hit, ＜The Girl from Ipanema,＞ which became a major success and catapulted her to instant fame.
The original album titles, ＜A Certain Smile＞ and ＜A Certain Sadness,＞ are the theme song from Francoise Sagan’s film of the same name and a song written by Brazilian composer Carlos Lyra, respectively. The concept of combining those two songs with a bossa nova style is quite fashionable. ＜So Nice＞ is a song by Marcos Valle, a singer-songwriter from Rio de Janeiro, and it is a reinterpretation of the popular version made famous by Wanderley. The chanson ＜Portuguese Washerwoman＞ was likely included here because it originally incorporates Brazilian rhythms. This is a pleasant album that exquisitely blends Wanderley’s uplifting performance on light bossa beats with Astrud’s cool vocals.
#302 Pianist Eliane Sings Jobim Collection
Eliane Elias Sings Jobim / Eliane Elias
(Somethin’ Else ⇒ Universal Music TOCJ-5595)
In this album, Eliane, a highly skilled and popular female pianist in today’s music scene, performs and sings only masterpieces by Antonio Carlos Jobim, the founder of bossa nova. The album title is “Eliane Elias Sings Jobim.” Eliane was born in Sao Paulo and moved to the United States in the early 1980s, which is why her bossa nova playing is so authentic. Although she had previously recorded a Jobim collection titled “Eliane Elias Plays Jobim,” which primarily focused on piano performances, this album released in 1998 features her vocals throughout.
Eliane’s singing voice is soft and whispering, possessing a sensitive quality that fits bossa nova perfectly. Her piano touch, likely influenced by Jobim’s music, expresses lyrical beauty simply yet without excess. This album features not only Jobim’s signature compositions like “Garota De Ipanema,” “Samba De Uma Nota So,” and “Desafinado,” but also lesser-known gems, such as “Falando de Amor” and “Caminhos Cruzados,” which are a real treat. Since the album was released around the time Eliane began to focus seriously on her career as a vocalist, it is an unforgettable album for her as well. Guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves effortlessly establishes a steady rhythm, allowing a refreshing lyricism to unfold. On some tracks, Michael Brecker joins in, enhancing the brilliance of Eliane’s world even further.
#303 Ike Quebec’s Bossa Nova Album, where Time Flows Gently By
Bossa Nova Soul Samba / Ike Quebec
(Bluenote BLP-84114)
The prestigious jazz label “Blue Note” also has several bossa nova albums. None of them are cool bossa nova; they all have a bluesy flavor. One album I particularly enjoy listening to is “Bossa Nova Soul Samba” by the Black tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec.
I previously discussed Ike Quebec’s other work in #177 (No. 51), but this recording was made during his final years. Although the bossa nova rhythm is used, Ike plays the melodies beautifully at a distinctly jazzy pace. The performances unfold with rich and expressive tones, creating a delightful experience. ＜Loie,＞ is a plaintive piece written by Kenny Burrell, who participated as a guitarist. The album also features arrangements of well-known pieces like Franz Liszt’s ＜Liebestraum＞, Dvorak’s ＜Goin’ Home＞, and ＜Shu Shu＞ by Laurindo Almeida, all performed with bossa nova rhythms that create a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere. Since Ike Quebec passed away just two months after this recording, this album, being his last, makes his death even more regrettable.
About the Author
Masamichi Okazaki
Surrounded by various kinds of music from his childhood, Masamichi Okazaki joined Waseda University Modern Jazz Club. He started contributing articles to music magazines when he was a student. He covers wide range of music not only trad, modern and contemporary jazz, but also from pops to classics. He writes liner notes for CDs and LPs, and is a regular contributor to “JAZZ JAPAN,” “STEREO,” and others. He joined a big band, “Shiny Stockings,” as a saxophone player. He is a director of The Music Pen Club Japan (MPCJ).
