Club kids tiring of neoswing, lounge and ska might find retro thrills through Brazilian bossa nova, a style that became a craze in the U.S. with "Jazz Samba," the 1962 collaboration by guitarist Charlie Byrd and saxophonist Stan Getz.
Byrd remains addicted to the lilting melodies and melancholy musings of bossa nova legend Antonio Carlos Jobim, toasting the late composer with lighter-than-air readings of his "Fotografía," "Agua de Beber," "Esperanca Perdida," "So Danco Samba" and "Someone To Light Up My Life."
The wonderfully expressive finger-style guitarist is ably supported by Brazilian-rhythm act Trio Da Paz. Tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton evokes a breathy Getz, while vibraphonist Chuck Redd and Brazilian singer Maucha Adnet add grace to the rather restrained proceedings. Jobim's music is juxtaposed with Luiz Bonfa's sultry "Meninha Flor," the traditional ballad "Violão Quebrada" and the Chopin adaptation "Freddie's Tune."
