Urubu
Artist: Antonio Carlos Jobim

Urubu is the album that MCA's Jobim probably aspired to be, a total break away from the bossa nova past that is both ambitious and strikingly original. The shock of dissonant strings, percussive and wind sounds from the Brazilian interior greet us on the first track "Bôto," the first of four songs in which a defiant Jobim throws structural... Read More

Jazz 'Round Midnight: Astrud Gilberto
Artist: Astrud Gilberto
Wave: Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook
Artist: Antonio Carlos Jobim

The sequel to the popular The Girl from Ipanema anthology basically reshuffles the deck, duplicating nine of the earlier CD's songs and adding six new ones, using mostly the same performers with a few additions. The new wrinkle is that the artists perform different tunes, a game that one imagines could be continued indefinitely on future issues.... Read More

Antonio Carlos Jobim and Friends
Artist: Antonio Carlos Jobim

Jobim made his last Brazilian concert appearance -- and the penultimate one of his life -- at this warm, star-studded affair in which American jazz musicians jetted down to the Free Jazz Festival in Sao Paulo to pay effusive homage. The miracle is how easily the jazzers were able to capture the yearning essence of Jobim's idiom without really... Read More

Elis Por Ela
Artist: Elis Regina

This best-of collection features live and studio recordings from her middle and late albums. It contains five tracks from the live Saudade do Brasil, four tracks from Live at Montreux, and five studio tracks, notably a resuscitated (finally) version of "Beguine Dodoi," whose mastering was horrifically botched on the U.S. release of Essa Mulher.... Read More

Compact Jazz: Astrud Gilberto
Artist: Astrud Gilberto

For listeners new to Gilberto's classic Verve work, this edition of the label's Compact Jazz sampler series makes for a perfect introduction. Along with Verve's equally fine Silver Collection of Gilberto's prime sides, this 16-track set includes cuts from most of the singer's different projects. From her classic Getz date ("The Girl From... Read More

The Silver Collection: The Astrud Gilberto Album
Artist: Astrud Gilberto
Community Score: 3.67

Astrud Gilberto has never been properly anthologized by Verve Records; although they've released a number of compilations over the years, none of them have been definitive, and most of them have been rather skimpy. 1987's The Silver Collection, originally released only in Europe but later imported to North America, is an idiosyncratic selection.... Read More

Siembra
Artist: Willie Colón

The high point of Willie Colón's ongoing collaboration with Rubén Blades (and close to a career peak for both artists), Siembra exploded on the salsa scene in 1978 and has never been forgotten by fans. Beginning with a minute of playfully deceptive quasi-disco arrangements, Colón and his band slip into a devastating salsa groove for the opener,... Read More

The Big Break
Artist: Willie Colón
Community Score: 10.00

Colon's third album is the clearest early sign of his individuality, with a Ghanaian children's song, the first of his Panamanian-influenced numbers, and a prophetic venture into Brazilian rhythms. ~ John Storm Roberts, All Music Guide Read More

Metiendo Mano
Artist: Willie Colón
Community Score: 3.00

Salsa history in the making: the album in which Willie Colon introduced Ruben Blades to the wider world. An obvious classic, given Blades's subsequent history, but it's also a gorgeous album with Yomo Toro on two tracks (one playing guitar), the great pianist Sonny Bravo on two cuts, and ace percussion with Milton Cardona and Nicky Marrero. ~... Read More

Misa Negra
Artist: Irakere

Irakere has been heralded as one of the best big bands in the world. Propelled by a driving rhythm section and potent horn section, this Cuban band won the Latin Grammy Awards in 1979 and 1980. On this 1986 recording, the band sinks its collective teeth into a few originals, including the 17-minute, four-part title track, as well as a cover of... Read More

Vento de Maio
Artist: Elis Regina

This is a posthumous compilation of some works by Elis Regina, put together under no evident concept other than throwing together some songs composed by the mineiros of the Clube da Esquina, mixed with other composers. It has songs by the dance/pop composer Guilherme Arantes (launched by her), a track by Adoniran Barbosa where she is featured,... Read More