TONINHO HORTA - To Jobim with Love (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Toninho Horta has been a reliable sideman and occasionally a leader in his lengthy career playing contemporary Brazilian music. The acoustic and electric guitarist has a quiet intensity that reflects the passion and verve of genius composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. This tribute to Jobim is quite laden with string charts, most done quite tastefully, rarely overarranged, and pleasantly emphasizing a flute section. Horta has an impressive complementary combo of pianist Dave Kikoski, bassist Gary Peacock, percussionists Paulo Braga and Manolo Badrena, special guests as saxophonist Bob Mintzer, harmonicist William Galison, trumpeter Glenn Drewes, Charles Pillow on oboe, John Clark on French horn, and several members of the large Horta family. Gal Costa sings in a choir, or individually for the CD's sweetest and beautiful moments - where flutes accent but do not swarm during a great take of "No More Blues," and the simple "Modinha" with only Horta's guitar where you clearly hear the depth of both artists' souls. Herat is an accomplished singer, heard in melancholy strains for "Without You," or in brighter spirits with wordless and worded lyrics for the sensual "Agua De Beber." And the hits keep on comin' with a no-frills take of "Desafinado" with strings and choral vocals melding beautifully, while the restraint of "Meditation" echoes the holding back on love until the right moment in time. Mintzer's cameos on Horta's original "Infinite Love" and the Paulo Horta/Donato Donatti tune "Promises I Made" show the neo-bop tenorman as a player who has his heart in the right place. Only during Horta's tiny notes on "Portrait in Black & White" and Kikoski's always brilliant pianistics for "If Everyone Was Like You" do the strings bury the solo instrumentalists. This is a good outing for Horta and friends, perhaps a tad self-indulgent or overproduced, but only by degrees. Those who are just discovering this Brazilian jazz giant should explore his discography, but this CD is a fine and satisfying entry point. by Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1     Agua de Beber 5:49
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Arranged By [Basic Track Co-arranged By], Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming By] – Andre Dequech
2     Portrait in Black and White 5:44
Chico Buarque / Antônio Carlos Jobim
3     If Everyone Was Like You 5:15
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Lead Vocals – Luisa Schiavon Horta
4     From Ton to Tom (Silent Song) 4:45
Toninho Horta / Hillary James
5     Cristiana 4:38
Toninho Horta
6     Meditation 4:35
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
7     No More Blues (Chega De Saudade) 6:08
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Edited By [Pro-tools Editing] – Pat Thrall
8     Infinite Love 4:00
Toninho Horta
9     Promises I Made 4:54
Paulo Horta
10     Modinha 3:30
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
11     The Girl from Ipanema 0:40
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Acoustic Guitar – Manuel Shiavon Horta
Edited By – Jack Lee
12     Without You 3:30
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
13     Desafinado 5:14
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
All Credits

PAUL WINTER • OSCAR CASTRO-NEVES - Brazilian Days (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Twelve bossa nova numbers recorded as duets between saxophonist Paul Winter and his Consort cohort Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar, Brazilian Days finds the duo digging up overlooked gems from the likes of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carlos Lyra, Noel Rosa, Vinicius de Moraes, Edu Lobo, and Luiz Eca. The numbers are gentle and relaxed, with bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Paulo Braga fine in support. by Steve Huey
Tracklist :
1     Aula de Matemática 3:28
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Marino Pinto
Percussion – Cassio Duarte    
2     Coisa Mais Linda 4:09
Carlos Lyra / Vinícius de Moraes
3     Feitio de Oração 4:02
Noel Rosa
4     Feio Nao E Bonito 4:04
Carlos Lyra
5     Minha Namorada 3:58
Carlos Lyra
6     Tambén Quem Mandou 3:37
Carlos Lyra
Organ [Pipe Organ] – Paul Halley
7     Ana Luiza 3:07
Antônio Carlos Jobim
8     Fetiço Da Vila 4:18
Noel Rosa
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
9     Canto Triste 3:09
Edú Lobo
Organ [Pipe Organ] – Paul Halley
10     Imagem 4:48
Aloysio de Oliveira
11     Por Causa de Voc 2:17
Dolores Durán / Antônio Carlos Jobim
12     Se E Tarde Me Perdoa 3:13
Carlos Lyra
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Credits :
Bass – Nilson Matta
Drums – Paulo Braga
Guitar, Producer, Arranged By, Liner Notes – Oscar Castro-Neves
Soprano Saxophone, Producer – Paul Winter 

PAQUITO D'RIVERA - Brazilian Dreams (2002) APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

Extraordinary saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Paquito D'Rivera shows his love for vocal quartet music and Brazilian composers on Brazilian Dreams. As one of the most influential and dynamic musicians of his time, D'Rivera's distinctive command of Afro-Cuban jazz, Brazilian jazz, big band, folklore, and world music has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences. Joined by New York Voices and trumpeter Claudio Roditi, among others, D'Rivera's abundant talents and joyous enthusiasm make this "live" concert recording both memorable and inspiring. Ten songs, including such classics by Antonio Carlos Jobim as "Corcovado" and "Desafinado," are elegantly performed alongside two of Luiz Bonfá's Brazilian jazz masterpieces titled "Manha de Carnival" and "Gentle Rain." The ensemble presents these great songs as a medley on this program. D'Rivera's mastery of the clarinet is a sonic joy on "Meu Amigo." He provides spirited accompaniment to the New York Voices' four-part harmony with high-quality improvisation. Additional highlights include Claudio Roditi's composition "Red on Red," which has become a standard in the Brazilian jazz repertoire. Whether leading his own ensembles or playing with renowned jazz masters, Paquito D'Rivera continues to make a decidedly fresh imprint on Latin and Brazilian jazz. by Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
1     Corcovado 7:27
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees
2     One for Tom 5:04
Paquito D'Rivera / David Samuels
3     Manha de Carnaval/Gentle Rain 5:25
Luiz Bonfá / Matt Dubey
4     Desafinado 4:52
Antônio Carlos Jobim
5     Modinha 4:28
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Kim Nazarian
6     Meu Amigo 4:06
Antônio Carlos Jobim
7     A Rá 6:53
João Donato / Caetano Veloso
8     Retrato Em Branco E Prêto 6:05
Antônio Carlos Jobim
9     Red on Red 4:08
Claudio Roditi
10     Snow Samba 5:18
Paquito D'Rivera / Claudio Roditi
Credits :
Bass – Oscar Stagnaro
Drums – Paulo Braga
Guitar, Executive Producer – Marty Ashby
Piano – Helio Alves
Saxophone, Clarinet – Paquito D'Rivera
Trombone, Producer, Engineer [Mixing Engineer] – Jay Ashby
Trumpet – Claudio Roditi
Vocals – Darmon Meader, Kim Nazarian, Lauren Kinhan, Peter Eldridge

ELIS REGINA / ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM - Elis & Tom (1974-2008) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This beautiful -- and now legendary -- recording date between iconic Brazilian vocalist Elis Regina and composer, conductor, and arranger Tom Jobim is widely regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian pop recordings. It is nearly ubiquitous among Brazilians as a household item. Regina's voice is among the most loved in the history of Brazilian music. Her range and acuity, her unique phrasing, and her rainbow of emotional colors are literally unmatched, and no matter the tune or arrangement, she employs most of them on these 14 cuts. Another compelling aspect of this recording is the young band Jobim employs here and allows pretty free rein throughout. He plays piano on eight of these tracks, and guitar on two others, but the fluid, heightened instincts of these players -- guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves, Luizão Maia on bass, drummer Paulinho Braga, and pianist César Mariano -- reveal them to be at the top of their game for this rather informal date that does include a few numbers with a full orchestra. That said, most of these songs were completed as first takes with very little overdubbing. The ballads are stunning -- check"Modinha," written and arranged by Jobim. The chart, even with an orchestral backing, is amazingly terse because the composer knew Regina worked best within minimal settings. Only two minutes and 16 seconds in length, it nonetheless captures the Portuguese notion of "saudade" perfectly. Of course, most of these tunes are bossa novas. The opening "Águas de Março" features a deceptively simple cat-and-mouse vocal call and response, kicking the disc off on a light, cheerful note; it's a delightful and very sophisticated number, but it feels effortless. "Triste" is one of Jobim's finest tunes, and there is scarcely a better version of it than this one. Even with electric guitars (complete with a semi-funky solo in the middle eight) on top of the nylon strings, the gauzy yet pronounced rhythms and the languid melody delivered by Regina are gorgeous. "Corcovado" is done with an orchestra, full of lilting flutes and a deep string backdrop. It is mournful and sensual. Jobim plays guitar and piano here, and adds a hushed backing vocal to Regina's refrains. It's an unusual reading, but a stellar one. "Brigas, Nuncas Mais" is a wonderfully accented -- if brief -- bossa nova with all the percussion just above the threshold of hearing. It's all guitars, bass, and Regina in the first verse before the Rhodes piano and counterpoint enter near the end. She does more to express the true elegant sensuality of the bossa nova in a minute and 13 seconds than some singers have in a lifetime. Jobim's classic jazz ballad "Inútil Paisagem" is very difficult to deliver well, because it requires incredible restraint and emotion. Accompanied only by Jobim's piano -- and his all-but-whispered backing vocal -- this is truly one of Regina's greatest performances of the 1970s. It closes the album on a stunning high note, leaving nothing to be desired by the listener.
(This Comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our Blog ´O Púbis da Rosa´)
Tracklist:
1    Águas de Março 3:22
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Guitar – Helio, Oscar
Piano – Tom, Cesar
Vocals – Tom, Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim   
2    Pois É 1:43
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Guitar – Helinho
Piano – Cesar
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque
3    Só Tinha de Ser Com Você 3:49
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Electric Piano – Cesar
Guitar – Helinho, Oscar
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Aloysio De Oliveira, Tom Jobim
4    Modinha 2:16
Arranged By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
5    Triste 2:39
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Guitar – Helinho, Oscar
Piano – Cesar
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim
6    Corcovado 3:53
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Piano, Guitar – Tom
Vocals – Tom, Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim
7    O Que Tinha de Ser 1:43
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
8    Retrato Em Branco e Prieto 3:03
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque   
9    Brigas, Nuncas Mais 1:39
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Electric Piano – Cesar
Guitar – Helio, Oscar Castro Neves
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
10    Por Toda a Minha Vida 2:04
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
11    Fotografia 2:46
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Electric Piano – Cesar
Guitar – Helio
Percussion – Chico Batera
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim
12    Soneto de Separação 2:20
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Conductor – Bill Hitchcock
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Tom, Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
13    Chovendo Na Roseira 3:11
Arranged By – Cesar C. Mariano
Bass – Luizão
Drums – Paulinho
Electric Piano – Cesar
Guitar – Tom, Oscar Castro Neves
Piano – Tom, Cesar
Vocals – Elis
Written-By – Tom Jobim
14    Inútil Paisagem 3:08
Piano – Tom
Vocals – Tom, Elis
Credits:
Written-By – Aloysio De Oliveira, Tom Jobim
Bass – Luizão Maia
Drums – Paulo Braga
Guitar – Hélio Delmiro, Oscar Castro Neves
Vocals – Elis Regina
Vocals, Piano, Guitar – Antonio Carlos Jobim 

ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM - Passarim (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Passarim is Jobim's major statement of the '80s, emerging during a time when his concerns were turning increasingly toward the Planet Earth. The title song is one of Jobim's most haunting creations, a cry of pain about the the destruction of the Brazilian rain forest that resonates in the memory for hours. Also, by this time, Jobim had resumed touring with a large group containing friends and family, and they carry a great deal of the load here, with lots of airy female backup vocals, two worthy songs by Jobim's multi-talented son Paulo, and another by flutist/singer Danilo Caymmi. Recorded entirely in Rio, the record's overall sound is very different from Jobim's '60s and '70s work: denser, hazier, still grounded in the samba yet rougher in texture (as is Jobim's voice). Though not as immediately winning as the Creed Taylor-produced albums, this music repays repeated listening -- particularly the extended suite from Jobim's score for the film Gabriela -- and there are samples of his wry humor in "Chansong" and the bossa nova reworking of "Fascinatin' Rhythm". by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
1    Passarim 3:36
Music By, Lyrics By – A.C. Jobim
2    Bebel 3:11
Music By, Lyrics By – A.C. Jobim
3    Borzeguim 4:23
Music By, Lyrics By – A.C. Jobim
4    Anos Dourados 3:46
Music By, Lyrics By – A.C. Jobim
5    Isabella 3:22
Lyrics By – Gil Goldstein
Music By, Lyrics By – Paulo Jobim
6    Fascinatin' Rhythm 2:10
Lyrics By – Ira Gershwin
Music By – George Gershwin
7    Chansong 3:18
Music By, Lyrics By – A.C. Jobim
8    Samba Do Soho 2:59
Lyrics By – Ronaldo Bastos
Music By – Paulo Jobim
9    Luiza 2:32
Music By, Lyrics By – A.C. Jobim
10    Brasil Nativo 3:51
Lyrics By – Paulo Cesar Pinheiro
Music By – Danilo Caymmi
11    Gabriela 7:56
Music By, Lyrics By – A.C. Jobim
Credits :
Bass – Sebastião Neto
Cello – Jaques Morelenbaum
Drums – Paulo Braga
Flute – Danilo Caymmi
Guitar – Paulo Jobim
Painting – Elizabeth Jobim
Percussion – Rubens Ohana de Miranda
Piano, Vocals – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Producer – Jaques Morelenbaum, Paulo Jobim
Vocals – Ana Lontra Jobim, Danilo Caymmi, Elizabeth Jobim, Maucha Adnet, Paula Morelenbaum, Paulo Jobim, Simone Caymmi

ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM - Antonio Brasileiro (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Not only did Jobim stay active until the end of his life, he showed virtually no signs of creative burnout, as this, his last album, wondrously displays. Surrounded again by family and friends, he delivered a brace of 13 songs and compositions (plus two songs by the veteran songwriter Dorival Caymmi), many of them relatively new, most as heartbreakingly beautiful as anything from the bossa nova years. Sometimes Jobim's voice, never impressive, is almost gone and the production has a rough-hewn finish, but it doesn't matter; Jobim's craft and his brood carry him through, and son Paulo Jobim provides thick but highly competent orchestral arrangements. An especially touching passage is the brief "Samba de Maria Luiza," a Jobim duet with his little daughter Maria Luiza, who also turns up on the succeeding ode for the environment, "Forever Green." The final tone poem, "Trem De Ferro," obviously inspired by Heitor Villa-Lobos, is also the most startling, a strange chugging simulation of a train cutting through the underbrush. There is also an idiomatic duet with Sting on the familiar "How Insensitive" (later included on the Red, Hot and Rio anthology), and Caymmi makes a guest vocal appearance on "Maricotinha." Obviously Jobim still had a lot to give, making his death later in 1994 an even more poignant blow. Issued for the Latin market only, though pressed in the U.S., the CD is not difficult to locate in well-stocked big city shops. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
1    Só Danço Samba 2:01
Lyrics By – Vinicius De Moraes
Tamborim – Duduka De Fonseca
2    Piano Na Mangueira 2:43
Horn – Edeneck Svab
Lyrics By – Chico Buarque
Percussion – Duduka De Fonseca
Trombone – Raul De Souza
Trumpet – Marcio Montarroyos
Vocals – Tom Jobim
3    Insensatez 3:46
Bass – Ron Carter
Lyrics By – Vinicius De Moraes
Vocals – Sting
4    Querida 3:32
Lyrics By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
5    Surfboard 3:09
Flugelhorn – Marcio Montarroyos
Horn – Antonio José Augusto, Edeneck Svab
6    Samba De Maria Luiza 1:14
Lyrics By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Vocals – Maria Luiza Jobim
7    Forever Green 3:15
Flugelhorn – Marcio Montarroyos
Horn – Antonio José Augusto, Edeneck Svab
Lyrics By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Paulo Jobim
Trombone – Raul De Souza, Victor Silva Santos
Vocals – Maria Luiza Jobim
8    Maracangalha 2:41
Music By, Lyrics By, Vocals – Dorival Caymmi
9    Maricotinha 3:50
Flugelhorn – Marcio Montarroyos
Horn – Antonio José Augusto, Edeneck Svab
Music By, Lyrics By, Vocals – Dorival Caymmi
Trombone – Raul De Souza, Victor Silva Santos
10    Pato Preto 4:42
Lyrics By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Percussion – Duduka De Fonseca
11    Meu Amigo Radamés 3:56
Clarinet – Edu Morelenbaum
Flute – Paulo Guimarães
Horn – Edeneck Svab
12    Trem Azul 5:00
Flugelhorn – Marcio Montarroyos
Lyrics By – Rolando Bastos
Music By – Lo Borges
13    Radamés Y Pelé 2:49
Flugelhorn – Marcio Montarroyos
Horn – Edeneck Svab
Trombone – Raul De Souza
14    Chora Coração 3:09
Lyrics By – Vinicius De Moraes
Vocals – Paula Morelenbaum
15    Trem De Ferro    4:34
Manuel Bandeira / Antônio Carlos Jobim
Créditos
Backing Vocals – Elizabeth Jobim, Maucha Adnet, Paula Morelenbaum, Simone Caymmi
Backing Vocals, Photography – Ana Lontra Jobim
Bass – Sebastião Neto
Cello – Jaques Morelenbaum
Drums, Percussion – Paulo Braga
Flute – Danilo Caymmi
Music By – Antonio Carlos Jobim (faixas: 1 to 7, 9, 10, 13 to 15)
Piano – Tom Jobim
Producer, Mixed By – Daniel Jobim
Producer, Mixed By, Violin – Paulo Jobim