If we’re honest with ourselves, we’d admit that if it weren’t for jazz being discovered in the late 50s-early 60s by Stan Getz and Bud Shank, jazz would have descended into cacophonous navel gazing via the free jazz and avant garde movement. Bossa Nova and Samba put joy and dance back into it with albums like Jazz Samba and Getz/Gilberto, creating a whole new sensation of sounds.
Riding on that crest was Sidney Frey, president of Audio Fidelity Records, who brought Brazilian musicians to New York’s Carnegie Hall to introduce The Big Apple to the charming tones of Bossa Nova. Many of the artists we are familiar with, such as Sergio Mendes, who is brilliant on “One Note Samba”as well as Luis Bonfa, swooning on “Mahna De Carnival”. Guitarist Oscar Neves’ Quartet mixes and matches with various vocalists like Carlos Lyra (“Influenia Do Jazz” ) and Caetano Zama (“Bossa Nova E New York”) and Agostino Dos Santos (“Felicida”). Other intriguing rarities is a chance to hear pianist Sergio Ricardo perform “Zelao” and Gilberto with drummer Milton Banana on a rich “Otra Vez”. This album has been out of print for many years, and it’s like a balm to the ears. Don’t let this time capsule get away.