Nova Bossa: Red Hot On Verve CD

RED HOT ON VERVE is a companion to RED HOT + RIO (Antilles 533 183).

In the hope that Red Hot + Rio would ignite interest in Brazilian music within the X-Generation, Verve simultaneously released a historical survey with similar cover art, similar noise interludes between tracks, and occasionally, the same tunes (do not be confused!). Although some of the same old stuff reissued a thousand times before is here (the Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto "The Girl from Ipanema," and the Stan Getz/Charlie Byrd "Desafinado" et al), Verve also went through the trouble to unearth some unusual items. Among the prizes on Nova Bossa: Red Hot on Verve are a bizarre track by organist Walter Wanderley called "Bicho Do Mato," Edu Lobo's marvelous high-energy original version of his "Upa, Neguinho," and Sergio Mendes' folk-like back-to-the-roots treatment of "After Sunrise." Commendably, half of the CD is devoted to songs by composers other than Antonio Carlos Jobim -- worthy figures like Lobo, Jorge Ben, Baden Powell, Joao Gilberto, Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. Not all bases are adequately covered, however, there is no tropicalismo beyond its late-'60s infancy and there is nothing from a giant like Milton Nascimento. Still, this is one of those rare collections that will appeal to the newcomer and the connoisseur. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Brazil & Jazz

Personnel: Gilberto Gil, Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Caetano Veloso (vocals, guitar); Edú Lobo (vocals, piano); Elis Regina, Maria Toledo, Astrud Gilberto (vocals); Vinicius Cantuaria (guitar, percussion); Gene Byrd, Helio Delmiro, Luiz Bonfá, Oscar Castro-Neves, Baden Powell, Charlie Byrd (guitar); Roberto Menescal (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Henry, Bud Shank (flute); Adalberto Castilho (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, percussion); Stan Getz (tenor saxophone); Iko Castro-Neves, Joao Donato, Luíz Eça, César Camargo Mariano (piano); Gary Burton (vibraphone); Sergio Barroso (electric bass); Buddy Deppenschmidt, Hélcio Milito, Joe Hunt , Milton Banana, Paulinho Braga, Wilson DasNeves, Joao Palma, Charly Antolini (drums); Bill Reichenbach , Jose (Bigorna) Carlos (percussion).

Recording information: 1959-1974.

Editor: Tim Barnes .

Arranger: Luíz Eça.The Beat (V.16 #1 1997, p.60) - "...this 23-track collection contains gems too plentiful to mention...for someone wanting to start a library of Brazilian music this is a stand-alone single cd that is hard to beat."