Antonio Carlos Jobim: Brazil's Greatest Composer [JAZZ SAMBA]

Why you'll love it

This limited 180g pressing gathers 17 early recordings of Jobim songs, many with lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes. It puts "Desafinado," "Corcovado" and "Chega de Saudade" in the hands of the singers who first made them famous.

This edition

• 180g virgin vinyl
• Limited edition

About the album

Before his biggest hits made him famous everywhere, Tom Jobim was a young Rio pianist and arranger writing songs for other people to sing. This set goes back to those years, when bossa nova was new and a small circle of singers and guitarists were working out what it could be, often with Jobim himself at the piano, conducting or arranging.

João Gilberto's hushed voice and quietly revolutionary guitar carry "Desafinado," "Insensatez," "O Amor em Paz," "Este Seu Olhar" and "Samba de Uma Nota Só." Elizeth Cardoso sings "Chega de Saudade" and "Outra Vez," Sylvia Telles gives "Fotografia" and "Corcovado" a cool, intimate glow, and Luiz Bonfá plays "Lamento no Morro" and "Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Você." Maysa brings "Meditação," and Dick Farney and Lúcio Alves trade lines on "Tereza da Praia." "Chega de Saudade" turns up twice, which tells you how central it was to the whole movement.

It's a lovely primer for anyone who knows the standards and wants to hear where they began. The title doesn't leave much room for debate, and having played it through, neither do we.

Also at Kops: more Antonio Carlos Jobim on vinyl · browse World

Tracklist

Listen

On Jazz Samba.