Best Bossa Nova
Originally released in March 1964, this collaboration between saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist João Gilberto came at seemingly the end of the bossa nova craze Getz himself had sparked in 1962 with Jazz Samba , his release with American guitarist Charlie Byrd. Getz/Gilberto , which featured composer Antonio Carlos Jobim on piano, not only yielded the hit "Girl from Ipanema" (sung by Astrud Gilberto, the guitarist's wife, who had no professional experience) but also "Corcovado" ("Quiet Night")--an instant standard, and the definitive version of "Desafinado."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is one CD I never tire of hearing... the voices, rhythms and sensual, enchanting melodies transport me to a place within very different from the Portugal I visited in the 90's. If you cannot "get" why I and myriad others experience the Getz/Gilberto collaboration as Divinely inspired, one size never fits all."
"One can wear out the term "classic" and not half do justice to this important album, the best intro-to-bossa nova CD I know of."
"I first heard this album at my aunt and uncle's house about a year after it was first released, along with Jazz Samba, and was hooked on smooth bossa nova and the larger world of Latin jazz."
"The mint green disc is protected by a translucent plastic sleeve, which in turn has its own embossed cardboard holder. I have 3 versions of this samba classic from Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto- the Red Book CD, the SACD and the new SHM-SACD. In general, the disc sounds more analogue than digital and doesn't have the negative sonic qualities one might associate with many CD's. I hope that Amazon appreciates the fact that there is a strong market out there for hi rez formats that offer alternatives to regular CDs. Perhaps in the future Amazon will consider introducing a separate category for high resolution formats like SACD, SHM, XRCD, etc."
"Getz's jazz saxaphone unobtrusively blends in with the bossa nova and samba music. You can play it as background music for dinners or cocktails, or just play it to listen and dance (OK: this would be slow dancing rather than head bangind metallica) or just to chill while sipping wine, drinking beer, or savoring a caipirina. While living and working in Central and Eastern Europe so many people commented on liking the music (Czech, Austrian, Hungarian, Bosnian and Croatian) that I used to give out copies as presents. As you listen to the music you soon imagine being beach-side, the sun's rays beating down on you, the slight ocean breeze ruffling your hair and that of the pretty women you are trying to avoid staring at while you notice the seagulls crying in the distance sometimes louder than the crashing waves, sometimes not, and the scent of coco oil, and other tropical aromas, flavors and sabores. If for some reason you don't like the cd, give it to a friend, or better yet hold on to it, your musical tastes will mature so that you appreciate this."
But this collection really surveys his interpretations of pop tunes of the day, some of which were never hits for Mendes.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Greatest Hits is just what the album title says, a 38-minute collection of the songs that topped the charts or which the group became famous for. The craftsmanship is first-rate, not surprising, given that the album was produced and engineered by such heavyweights as Mendes and Dave Grusin, not to mention Herb Alpert, the "A" in A&M records, and perhaps second only to George martin in the 1960s when it came to recording music that was popular in the truest sense of the word, enjoyable to listen to while also striking a deeper emotional chord which causes that song to linger with us. Easy listening pop is not for everybody,and too much of it probably isn't very good for anyone, but for fans of such music as Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass or Burt Bacharach, Brasil '66 is definitely worth listening to and, at this low price, adding to your collection."
"The music is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys good smooth jazz versions of selected pop classics and popular latin rhythms. Best renditions are "Mais Que Nada", "Scarborough Fair", "Like a Lover", "The Fool on the Hill", "So Many Stars" and "Pretty World"."
"I thoroughly enjoy this compilation of hits, especially the Beatles covers."
"Lead singer lani Hall (also wife of Herb Alpert) has a heavenly voice."
"I have taken delivery of my recent CD purchase Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 Greatest Hits."
"Some of the cuts on "Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66--Greatest Hits" sound as fresh as they did 40 years ago."
Outstanding two CD collection featuring 48 of the act's finest Easy Listening/Bossa Nova tracks recorded for A&M records from 1966-71, During the late '60s, Mendes was the most popular Brazilian artist in the U.S., and has remained a musical icon internationally for decades.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Instruments likewise compliment the vocalists with lots of good stuff including bongo drum rolls and Sergio's melodies on the electric piano."
"This collection highlights all the albums except that only two selections are available from "Fool On The Hill" and that is disappointing. I was not too enamored of the album "Stillness" but several selections of that album are good standouts and they are included in this collection."
"Remakes of Beatles classics,Fool on the Hill,Day Tripper,With A Little Help From My Friends,Norweign Wood. Out of this world Scarborough Fair,Going Out Of My Head,Wichita Lineman,Nite and Day,The Look Of Love,Chelsea Morning,For What It's Worth,What the World Needs Now,Easy To Be Hard,Sometimes in Winter all heavy radio play."
"Many of them are listed as being on their first album, when they're really from a later album that isn't mentioned!"
"Seller Delivered as promised!"
"but this 2disc set will have to do for now."
"VERY HOT IN THE 70'S....GREAT IS FOR EVER."
Best Brazilian Music
Originally released in March 1964, this collaboration between saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist João Gilberto came at seemingly the end of the bossa nova craze Getz himself had sparked in 1962 with Jazz Samba , his release with American guitarist Charlie Byrd. Getz/Gilberto , which featured composer Antonio Carlos Jobim on piano, not only yielded the hit "Girl from Ipanema" (sung by Astrud Gilberto, the guitarist's wife, who had no professional experience) but also "Corcovado" ("Quiet Night")--an instant standard, and the definitive version of "Desafinado."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is one CD I never tire of hearing... the voices, rhythms and sensual, enchanting melodies transport me to a place within very different from the Portugal I visited in the 90's. If you cannot "get" why I and myriad others experience the Getz/Gilberto collaboration as Divinely inspired, one size never fits all."
"One can wear out the term "classic" and not half do justice to this important album, the best intro-to-bossa nova CD I know of."
"I first heard this album at my aunt and uncle's house about a year after it was first released, along with Jazz Samba, and was hooked on smooth bossa nova and the larger world of Latin jazz."
"The mint green disc is protected by a translucent plastic sleeve, which in turn has its own embossed cardboard holder. I have 3 versions of this samba classic from Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto- the Red Book CD, the SACD and the new SHM-SACD. In general, the disc sounds more analogue than digital and doesn't have the negative sonic qualities one might associate with many CD's. I hope that Amazon appreciates the fact that there is a strong market out there for hi rez formats that offer alternatives to regular CDs. Perhaps in the future Amazon will consider introducing a separate category for high resolution formats like SACD, SHM, XRCD, etc."
"Getz's jazz saxaphone unobtrusively blends in with the bossa nova and samba music. You can play it as background music for dinners or cocktails, or just play it to listen and dance (OK: this would be slow dancing rather than head bangind metallica) or just to chill while sipping wine, drinking beer, or savoring a caipirina. While living and working in Central and Eastern Europe so many people commented on liking the music (Czech, Austrian, Hungarian, Bosnian and Croatian) that I used to give out copies as presents. As you listen to the music you soon imagine being beach-side, the sun's rays beating down on you, the slight ocean breeze ruffling your hair and that of the pretty women you are trying to avoid staring at while you notice the seagulls crying in the distance sometimes louder than the crashing waves, sometimes not, and the scent of coco oil, and other tropical aromas, flavors and sabores. If for some reason you don't like the cd, give it to a friend, or better yet hold on to it, your musical tastes will mature so that you appreciate this."
Best South & Central American Music
Deluxe expanded version of the Pop diva's massively successful album features seven bonus tracks including three new songs, a megamix and versions of "E.T" featuring Kanye West, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)".
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I purchased this album for my little Sun Goddess who has a high taste of music and is not really in to lollypop music! I rather kids listen to this type of music which is at least meaningful and musically valuable, than listen to lollypop music and baseless mindless techno and rap."
"its a fun album."
"Pop music history, the singles are iconic."
"Very uplifting album."
"Love Katy Perry's songs on this complete collection, still listen to teenage dream, we all had them."
"what a great album."
"One of the best cd's ever."
Best Tropicália
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"good value, various recordings, good samba beat."
"Not just Bosa Nova, it represents highly prized Latin jazz."
"Love the eclectic voices."
"The music is smooth and relaxing."
"Fantastic Brazilian Selection!!"
"Bossa Nova at its best."
