If it weren’t for the saving grace of Bossa Nova, jazz would have probably died a death of starvation by now. Brazilian music is what keeps me coming back to jazz, as the singers, rhythms and harmonies created a symbiotic relationship between the two hemispheres that has never been equaled. Verve has just reissued via digital download all of the essentials from the mines of Brazil. All are important, most are essential.
I’ll list the albums according to artist, with the ones that have the most reissues up on top:
ANTONIO CARLOS (TOM )JOBIM: The Composer of Desifinado Plays, Wave, Tide-Here is the guy that started it all. Tom Jobim is the Brazilian version of George Gershwin, and all of the essential material you need to have in your dna is on the first two of these three albums, with Tide being great, but not worthy of dieing for. The first album as the iconic versions of “Aqua de Beber”, “Insensatez”, “O Morro” and “Corcovado” in instrumental form. Wave has a bit of a jazzier feel with the inclusion of Ron Carter/b and Jerome Richardson/reeds and the production of Claus Oberman delivering picture perfect sounds on “Triste” and “Batidhnia.” Tide is good, but it feels like out takes from Wave.
STAN GETZ: GETZ/GILBERTO EXPANDED, GETZ/GILBERT #2, WITH GUEST LAURINDO ALMEIDA, GETZ AU GO-GO, BIG BAND BOSSA NOVA-If Jobim wrote all of the most important material, and debuted in a large scale format, tenor saxist Stan Getz brought it to the States in a small group combo environment that literally changed the shape of American pop music and jazz. Getz/Gilberto from ’64 includes not only the famous take of “ Ipanema” that introduced the 
world to Astrud Gilberto, but it also includes definitive takes of “Corcovado” and “Desifinado” while the whole session is nothing short of life affirming. There isn’t a nanosecond on this album that isn’t perfect in terms of sound and feel. The #2 reunion includes the fun “Bim Bom” and serene “Um Abraco No Bonfa” and is almost on par, although few things are. Big Band was a hit album at the time, with the addition of guitarist Jim Hall, and the Gary McFarland arrangements of “Manha de Carnival” and “Melancolico” are perfect bedding for Getz’s warm tenor. The Au Go-Go disc is a hip small band with Gary Burton/vibes and Kenny Burrell/g but suffers a bit from having a distant sound to it. Still, the interplay on “Here’s That Rainy Day” between Burton and Getz is wondrous.
ASTRUD GILBERTO: THE ASTRUD GILBERTO ALBUM, WINDY, I HAVEN”T GOT ANYTHING BETTER TO DO-Astrud Gilberto became an instant star 
after her lithe and delicate voice took over the airwaves via “Girl From Ipanema.” Her 1965 album is bossa nova heaven, with her delicate voice tip toeing through the tulips of “Dindi”, “Once I Loved,” “Agua de Beber” and “How Insensitive.” Lovely and lilting. The 1968 Windy album has her going outside of Brazil for some inspiration in the form of The Beatles’ “In My Life” and the Association with “Windy.” Still, you get some beauts like “Crickets Sing For Ana Maria.” She goes further into the pop field by delving into material by Burt Bacharach, Harry Nilsson and Michel LeGrand, and makes it work well on its own terms. Gutsy move that is successful.
…and, as for the single albums…
QUINCY JONES: BIG BAND BOSSA NOVA-This 1962 release is an absolute HOOT! It’s got Lalo Schifrin/p, Jim Hall/g, Phil Woods/as, Roland Kirk/misc and Clark Terry/tp just to whet your palate. The song you hear at tons of sporting events, “Soul Bossa Nova” gets things started in the right mood, and it doesn’t let up through “No More Blues” and a wonderful “Taste of Honey.” Custom made for a party!
LUIZ BONFA: THE COMPOSER OF BLACK ORPHEUS SINGS AND PLAYS BOSSA NOVA-This understated diamond has the famed composer with guitar and Creed Taylor’s production delivering timeless pieces like “Two Note Samba” and “Manha de Carnival” with a sweet delicacy that is 
irresistible. All of the tunes are short and sweet, making you beg for more, more more!
COLEMAN HAWKINS: DESAFINADO-The inventor of the jazz tenor sax took on the bossa nova trend and made an incredibly successful go of it on this ’63 disc for Impulse!, of all labels. His breathy tone and understated yet majesterial 
delivery of material like “O Pato” and “One Note Samba” are bon bon delights. His own “Stumpy Bossa Nova” and the original “Samba Para Bean” simmer like grilled onions and peppers. YUM!