Far Out Bossa Nova

Various Artists
Far Out Bossa Nova

Maybe bossa nova — like rock ‘n’ roll — will never die. Born in the ‘50s, both forms have the sort of sturdy musical and cultural foundations that can accommodate any of a number of alterations. This 2008 comp celebrating the style’s 50th anniversary focuses on recordings from the ‘90s and ‘00s and showcases both new and old voices. “Rio Bahia” is a breezy duet featuring veterans Joyce and Dori Caymmi; her smooth singing and his weathered vocals make for a pleasing contrast. Zeep’s catchy “Keep an Eye On Love” has a more raucous sound that sports sexy singing and lively baritone sax. The mellow and spare “Meu Samba Torto” features nice vocals by Clara Moreno (Joyce’s daughter) and Celso Fonseca’s deft acoustic guitar, while Marco Valle is represented by “Nova Bossa Nova.” Valle’s vocals are low-key, but full of musical detail, and the arrangement is top-notch. The composer and arranger Arthur Verocai contributes “Filhos,” a dramatic ballad distinctively intoned by Ivan Lins. The album wraps up with the late jazz saxophonist Victor Assis Brasil’s “Dindi,” an atmospheric instrumental that spotlights Brasil’s fine horn playing and shows how far out bossa nova can go.

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