VA - Compact Jazz: Best Of Bossa Nova (1987)

Ah, boss nova American style: a sea of white dinner jackets shimmying to Getz, poolside. Beyond images from many a bossa soundtracked ‘60s movie, though, the music itself was something to behold. Teaching jazz a bit more about it's already graceful mien, bossa nova found its most regal stateside purveyor in Stan Getz. Getz's classic work with both João and Astrud Gilberto is heard on few tracks here, while a good chunk of his often overlooked but often more interesting recordings with Charlie Byrd, Gary McFarland, and Luiz Bonfa are included as well. And we shouldn't forget two excellent cuts by one of the originators himself, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and contributions by other Brazilian stars like Baden Powell and the cocktail swinging Walter Wanderley. Something to behold, indeed – and at a bargain price, too.~The Compact Jazz: Best of Bossa Nova Review by Stephen Cook