More than seven years before
Stan Getz and
Charlie Byrd introduced the bossa nova of
Antonio Carlos Jobim to American audiences, guitarist
Laurindo Almeida and altoist
Bud Shank (in a quartet with bassist
Harry Babasin and drummer Roy Harte) recorded the intriguing music heard on this CD reissue. The performances are very close to bossa nova in their combination of cool-toned jazz and Brazilian rhythms; in fact, these are arguably the first bossa nova recordings, long before even
Jobim and
Joao Gilberto initially recorded. Only four of the 14 tunes ("Speak Low" is heard in two versions) are not based on Brazilian folk songs, and many of the songs (particularly "Carinoso") are quite memorable. This historically significant, very accessible, and highly recommended release is a gem. ~ Scott Yanow