This 1962 set by Cal Tjader, recorded at the beginning of the bossa nova craze in the United States (released in the same year and on the same label as the smash Jazz Samba by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd), has one of the most boring titles imaginable, and it doesn't begin to describe the laid-back yet magical innovations in the grooves. Produced by Creed Taylor, the date was arranged and orchestrated by the great pianist Clare Fischer (who also wrote the liner notes). Tjader set out to offer a very modern portrait of the music pouring out of Mexico City by showcasing selected Mario Ruíz Armengol compositions, and out of Brazil by spotlighting numbers by singers such as Elisete Cardoso and João Gilberto. Tjader's vibes are placed in juxtaposition with Fischer's piano and percussion by Changuito, Milt Holland, and Johnny Rae, with a woodwind section that included both Don Shelton and Paul Horn, and even some wordless exotica vocals by Ardeen DeCamp. In addition, Brazilian guitar star Laurindo Almeida helps out on about half the set and contributed "Chôro e Batuque," while Fischer offers "Elisete," named for the singer. The feel here is gentle with infectious rhythms and beautifully wrought woodwinds (check "Se é Tarde, Me Perdoa"), gorgeous piano, and spacious vibes. The arrangements by Fischer certainly represent the era, but they endure into the 21st century because of the shining example of interplay between the percussion and melodies (note the breezy "Silenciosa"). Tjader had been playing samba on records for a number of years by this point, and worked with Getz in 1957, but this was the first place he allowed his own complex yet delightfully subtle melodic (rather than just rhythmic) sensibilities to shine on the vibes. The most remarkable thing about this set is how effortlessly the two traditions blend.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1 Vai Querer 3:04
Hianto De Almeida / Laurindo Almeida / Edú Lobo / Fernando Lobo
2 Qué Tristeza 2:50
Mario Armengol / Mario Ruíz Armengol
3 Meditacao 3:33
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Ferreira De Mendonça
4 Sone 3:09
Mario Armengol / Mario Ruíz Armengol
5 Se é Tarde, Me Perdoa 2:51
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Carlos Lyra
6 Não Diga Nada 2:48
Noacy Mercenes
7 Silenciosa 3:28
Mario Armengol / Mario Ruíz Armengol
8 Elizete 2:31
Clare Fischer
9 Imagen 2:41
Mario Armengol / Mario Ruíz Armengol
10 Tentaço do Incoveniente 2:33
Manoel da Conceição / Augusto Mesquita
11 Preciosa 2:41
Mario Armengol / Mario Ruíz Armengol
12 Choro e Batuque 5:02
Laurindo Almeida
Credits :
Arranged By, Piano, Liner Notes – Clare Fischer
Bass – Freddie Schreiber
Congas – Changuito (faixas: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11)
Drums – Johnny Rae (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12)
Guitar – Laurindo Almeida (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12)
Percussion – Milt Holland
Producer – Creed Taylor
Timbales – Johnny Rae (faixas: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11)
Voice – Ardeen de Camp (faixas: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11)
Woodwind – Bernie Fleischer (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12), Don Shelton, Gene Cipriano (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12), John Lowe, Paul Horn
