João (I Really Samba)
Artist: João Gilberto

Recent but classic jazz-bossa is played by one of its defining spirits. Vocally, Gilberto is in fine muttering form, communicating intensely with somebody in his breast pocket, and his guitar is as delicate as ever. This recording expresses the close links of bossa nova and jazz. Joao has Clare Fisher arranging and on some cuts playing... Read More

De Corazón
Artist: Gilberto Santa Rosa
Community Score: 4.00

Santa Rosa continues with more fireworks in another diverse production. Not as eclectic as the preceding Esencia,and more inclined toward his familiar romantic style, but interesting effort, nonetheless. A treat for Santa Rosaphiles. ~ José A. Estévez, Jr., All Music Guide Read More

Coleccion Mi Historia
Artist: Elis Regina
The Man from Ipanema
Artist: Antonio Carlos Jobim
Community Score: 8.00

Issued nearly a year after Jobim's death, this three-CD set is ground zero, the place to start if you don't have any Jobim in your collection or for anyone who wants a single package of his multifaceted art. The set encompasses not only Jobim's own sporadic work for Verve from 1963 until his final 1994 Carnegie Hall concert and the two A&M... Read More

Amoroso/Brasil
Artist: João Gilberto

Two of the influential João Gilberto's LPs (Amoroso and Brasil) are combined on this single CD. The former session is pretty definitive with Gilberto interpreting four of Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions (including "Wave" and "Triste") and four other songs (highlighted by "Besame Mucho," "Estate," and an odd 31-bar rendition of "'S... Read More

Strikes Back
Artist: Héctor Lavoe
Community Score: 10.00

LaVoe and Willie Colon came blazing out of the bugalu era and wrote a new script for New York salsa during the late '60s and early '70s: a script that included Puerto Rican and Panamanian graftings on the basic Cuban scion, and a tough lyricism that spoke of "barrio" problems to a "barrio audience". Then the pair split, and eventually Ruben... 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

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