Bossa Nova Music

First of all, this CD features both Zoot Simms and Jim Hall--two masters of lyrical, intense, medolic improvisation. How can you resist? Second, the arrangements are inspired. Sweet. Poignant. Especially "They Call the Wind Maria". No vocals, but if you love bossa nova you should buy it and see for yourself how the jazz instruments speak to you. I have owned this music for years (I bought it in a previous CD release) and I still come back to it frequently.

I recently found this CD in a Hollywood music store along with its sequel before their listing here. Not ever having any Deodato recordings prior to Prelude nor any after Love Island, I had no idea what to expect. I love bossa nova, but wondered whether or not it would be sanitized and commercialized. After all, Deodato DID get pretty commercial sounding after the issue of Love Island. Then I noticed that this was recorded in 1964, right in the midst of the bossa nova craze. That clinched it, I had to have both of them.
Volume 1 is by far my favorite of the two and not just because the material is stronger. The musicians on both volumes are virtuoso, but on Volume 1 of the Bossa Nova Sessions they sound positively inspired! Throughout, Deodato shows the massive talent for arrangement and phrasing that to Americans just seemed to have come from out of nowhere when Prelude was unleashed in the US.
Samba de Verao is likely the best-known tune on the CD. Millions who couldn't tell a samba from a square dance have heard it at some time in their lives. But its hardly the best tune. I like almost everything. Favorites include Samba No Congo, Adriana, Capoeira (great sax work), the aforementioned Samba de Verao, Ainda Mais Lindo, So Por Amor, Ela e Carioca, and Pouca Duracao.
A pool party would be the perfect place to crank this up and get everyone in a festive mood. Even those who generally eschew dancing might find the infectious joy and drive of this music too hard to resist.
There are over 50 minutes of great music here and I think this is a CD not to be missed. Get this great find today while it is still available.

I recently found this CD in a Hollywood music store along with its sequel before their listing here. Not ever having any Deodato recordings prior to Prelude nor any after Love Island, I had no idea what to expect. I love bossa nova, but wondered whether or not it would be sanitized and commercialized. After all, Deodato DID get pretty commercial sounding after the issue of Love Island. Then I noticed that this was recorded in 1964, right in the midst of the bossa nova craze. That clinched it, I had to have both of them.
Volume 1 is by far my favorite of the two and not just because the material is stronger. The musicians on both volumes are virtuoso, but on Volume 1 of the Bossa Nova Sessions they sound positively inspired! Throughout, Deodato shows the massive talent for arrangement and phrasing that to Americans just seemed to have come from out of nowhere when Prelude was unleashed in the US.
Samba de Verao is likely the best-known tune on the CD. Millions who couldn't tell a samba from a square dance have heard it at some time in their lives. But its hardly the best tune. I like almost everything. Favorites include Samba No Congo, Adriana, Capoeira (great sax work), the aforementioned Samba de Verao, Ainda Mais Lindo, So Por Amor, Ela e Carioca, and Pouca Duracao.
A pool party would be the perfect place to crank this up and get everyone in a festive mood. Even those who generally eschew dancing might find the infectious joy and drive of this music too hard to resist.
There are over 50 minutes of great music here and I think this is a CD not to be missed. Get this great find today while it is still available.

I recently found this CD in a Hollywood music store along with its sequel before their listing here. Not ever having any Deodato recordings prior to Prelude nor any after Love Island, I had no idea what to expect. I love bossa nova, but wondered whether or not it would be sanitized and commercialized. After all, Deodato DID get pretty commercial sounding after the issue of Love Island. Then I noticed that this was recorded in 1964, right in the midst of the bossa nova craze. That clinched it, I had to have both of them.
Volume 1 is by far my favorite of the two and not just because the material is stronger. The musicians on both volumes are virtuoso, but on Volume 1 of the Bossa Nova Sessions they sound positively inspired! Throughout, Deodato shows the massive talent for arrangement and phrasing that to Americans just seemed to have come from out of nowhere when Prelude was unleashed in the US.
Samba de Verao is likely the best-known tune on the CD. Millions who couldn't tell a samba from a square dance have heard it at some time in their lives. But its hardly the best tune. I like almost everything. Favorites include Samba No Congo, Adriana, Capoeira (great sax work), the aforementioned Samba de Verao, Ainda Mais Lindo, So Por Amor, Ela e Carioca, and Pouca Duracao.
A pool party would be the perfect place to crank this up and get everyone in a festive mood. Even those who generally eschew dancing might find the infectious joy and drive of this music too hard to resist.
There are over 50 minutes of great music here and I think this is a CD not to be missed. Get this great find today while it is still available.

Here are some great Deodato tunes recorded years before he became famous stateside. Vol. 2 of the Bossa Nova Sessions contains 24 mostly lesser-known bossa nova and jazz titles, each expressed in Deodato's inimitable keyboard style and powered by his trademark percussive arrangements.
Though bossa nova informs the soul of the music, this CD is animated by jazz, 60s jazz, with lots of horns and a tight, steady rhythm. Those of a certain age will be taken way back by Deodato's distinctive Hammond organ and be brought to their feet by the sprightly play of Deodato's virtuoso sidemen.
While listening, you must remember that these tunes were recorded in the mid-60s. Then you can appreciate how advanced for his day Deodato was. I was familiar with only a few of the cuts, amongst which are Comencou de Brincadeira, Menina Flor, a couple of Henry Mancini tunes: Champagne and Quail and also My Manne Shelly, Da-me Um Martelo (If I Had A Hammer), and Tristeza.
Out of the whole lot, only Da-me Um Martelo seems out of place.
Though I recommend this CD to serious Deodato fans, Vol. 1 of the Bossa Nova sessions is much better if you can find it. Hats off to the Italian company Irma Records for reissuing this compilation and giving those of us who knew of Deodato only from his CTI days forward a chance to sample and enjoy his early work.

Here are some great Deodato tunes recorded years before he became famous stateside. Vol. 2 of the Bossa Nova Sessions contains 24 mostly lesser-known bossa nova and jazz titles, each expressed in Deodato's inimitable keyboard style and powered by his trademark percussive arrangements.
Though bossa nova informs the soul of the music, this CD is animated by jazz, 60s jazz, with lots of horns and a tight, steady rhythm. Those of a certain age will be taken way back by Deodato's distinctive Hammond organ and be brought to their feet by the sprightly play of Deodato's virtuoso sidemen.
While listening, you must remember that these tunes were recorded in the mid-60s. Then you can appreciate how advanced for his day Deodato was. I was familiar with only a few of the cuts, amongst which are Comencou de Brincadeira, Menina Flor, a couple of Henry Mancini tunes: Champagne and Quail and also My Manne Shelly, Da-me Um Martelo (If I Had A Hammer), and Tristeza.
Out of the whole lot, only Da-me Um Martelo seems out of place.
Though I recommend this CD to serious Deodato fans, Vol. 1 of the Bossa Nova sessions is much better if you can find it. Hats off to the Italian company Irma Records for reissuing this compilation and giving those of us who knew of Deodato only from his CTI days forward a chance to sample and enjoy his early work.

An excellent session of bossa nova mixed with acid jazz grooves. Recorded both in London and Tokyo, with nothing less than five great guitarists, includes marvelous performances of such bossa classics like A Little Tear, No More Blues, Chega de Saudade, Once I Loved, and Recado Bossa Nova. Very very nice. Oh, and there are also superb solos by trombonist Eijiro Nakagawa and trumpeter Tomonao Hara, two top Japanese jazzmen. And the album is produced by the legendary Arnaldo DeSouteiro.

I like my jazz 'crunchy'; not 'smooth'. The smooth jazz you hear on the radio these days could make an elevator ride hellacious. LOL

Having said that, Ike Quebec managed to nail the Bossa style with much feeling (soul) in a mellow groove. There's nothing pretentious in his playing.

G Geder

Oh, this album from Ike Quebec is just fabolous. It's not so common to write a review with an idea so clear of what you want to pass to your readers. But this is the case. This "Soul Bossa", taken from Quebec's Blue Note comeback albums of the sixties is just one of the Blue Note albums you want to own. And please take note, that every album from Blue Note Quebec's discography is exceptional. For real. Blue and sentimental, Heavy soul, It might as well be spring are all well worth getting. But this is probably the most original of the bunch. It is a splendid album in the Stan Getz bossa vein, but its not just another player playing the style. Ike transform this stuff to a thing of his. Believe me, Soul Bossa is just perfect from its first note to the last. The line up is perfect, the overall sound of the combo is perfectly balanced, the repertoire is perfect (he didn't choose any Jobim's tunes that are beautiful but played to death) and what the guys play here is just perfect. It's a bossa album yes, but it's something different. It's a bossa album infected with the Blues (thanks to Ike and Mr Burrell mainly). It's a portrait, an exceptional vivid painting of a warm and comfortable feeling. It's so sixties that you can't do nothing but love it. Quebec's playing is just perfect, he plays with a sensuos, masculine, marvellous, lovely, romantic tone extremely beautiful lines that always tell a story. I appreciate a lot the contribution of Mr. Burrell that here plays one of his best sessions for sure (I own many of his). This is a jazz album that you can't do nothing but love. You have to own it absolutly. It would be a gem in the most complete jazz enthusiast discography.

For all you retro types out there, this is possibly one of THE tastiest jazz albums you can buy. Ike is an impeccable sax player and musician, and this album captures all that is great about loungy jazz without dipping into the cheese. Never boring, never repetitive, this album constantly delivers.

(Of course, seeing the price tag on this puppy, I want to KILL whoever stole my original copy!)

If you like jazz or lounge, don't hesitate for a moment to buy this album.