Bossa N' Stones V.1 & 2 CD

This double-disc set issued by Music Brokers is partially what it says it is: bossa nova versions of Rolling Stones tunes. Even as a novelty this is stretching it -- why would any real bossa artist want to cover the Rolling Stones? In any case, a slew of minor bossa acts did sign up, and came up with some interesting versions of Stones cuts. Examples of these are Karen Souza's "Wild Horses," the Amazonics' "Let's Spend the Night Together," Anakelly's "Under My Thumb," and Urban Love's "Beast of Burden." There's also a ton of electronica here, and some of it is big booty bass like the Favela remix of "The Harlem Shuffle" by Marvin or Dual Sessions' dubby remix of "Ruby Tuesday." Unfortunately, most of the cuts here are like these last two, and have little to nothing to do with bossa. It's a come on. Ultimately, this set is for novelty freaks only. ~ Thom Jurek

Australian two CD set compiles both volumes of this popular series. Volume One is the compilation that started the Bossa Nova covers boom! Bossa N' Stones is an Electronic-tinged Bossa Nova treatment of Rolling Stones classics. They have assembled musicians and producers of different latitudes, who accepted the challenge of mixing the music of the legendary Rolling Stones, with the spirit of the Bossa Nova and contemporary electronics. Selections include classics such as 'Start Me Up', 'Satisfaction', 'Let's Spend The Night Together', 'Brown Sugar', a brilliant 'Sympathy For The Devil' and 'Angie'. After the success of the first volume (which has already gone platinum), Volume Two presents early hits like 'I'm Free', 'As Tears Go By' and 'Paint It, Black', as well as the major '70s numbers like 'Tumbling Dice', 'It's Only Rock N' Roll' and 'Emotional Rescue'. The album reaches forward into the '80s with 'Mixed Emotions', one of the highlights of the disc. 2007.