LE COEUR QUI JAZZE - Various Artists

YEAR: 1997

LABEL: Discomagic

TRACK LISTING: Le Coeur Qui Jazze - France Gall, Marins Amis Amant ou Maris - Michel Legrand, Aruanda - Astrud Gilberto, Here We Are Falling In Love - Meta Roos & Nippe Sylvens Band, Autumn Leaves - Milt Jackson, Jive Samba - Jon Hendricks, Panema Leblon - Claudia, Five Four - Roberto Menescal, Samba Em Paris - Leny Andrade, Sombre Guitar - Dancers Inferno, Uela Uela - Charly Antolini, Sunshine Superman - Big Jim Sullivan, In Memory Of - Randy Weston, The Mad Mad Doktors - The Mad Doktors, Ladeira Da Pregula - Elis Regina, Exotica - Walter Kubiczeck, Young Blood - The Silhouettes, Conversations - The Silhouettes

IMPRESSIONS: Unaccustomed as I am to posting albums which I've just recently acquired, I just had to mention LE COEUR QUI JAZZE which was brought to my attention by Mr. Bremson over at the "Exciting Sounds" blog. As he so rightly says: "The world needs more CD comps like this." And then, of course, there's the added bonus of a cd booklet full of photos of naked ladies. The tracks here are quite rarely heard (with the possible exception of the France Gall song) and puts you right in the mood for a tropical drink while shopping for white go-go boots. Hearing the track by the great Michel Legrand makes me wanna watch LES DESMOISELLES DE ROCHEFORT again. Jon Hendricks' vocal on "Jive Samba" is actually reminiscent of King Pleasure while Roberto Menescal is obviously going for the "Dave Brubeck TAKE FIVE" vibe with "Five Four" -- check the time signature.

MY FAVOURITE TRACKS: Le Coeur Qui Jazze - France Gall, Marins Amis Amant ou Maris - Michel Legrand, Aruanda - Astrud Gilberto, Here We Are Falling In Love - Meta Roos & Nippe Sylvans Band, Autumn Leaves - Milt Jackson, Jive Samba - Jon Hendricks, Panema Leblon - Claudia, Five Four - Roberto Menescal, Samba Em Paris - Leny Andrade, In Memory Of - Randy Weston, The Mad Mad Doktors - The Mad Doktors, Ladeira Da Preguia - Elis Regina, Exotica - Walter Kubiczeck

FACT SHEET: Compilation goodness!

GETZ/GILBERTO - Stan Getz & João Gilberto featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim

YEAR: 1964

LABEL: Verve

TRACK LISTING: The Girl From Ipanema, Doralice, Para Machuchar Meu Coração, Desafinado (Off Key), Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars), So Danço Samba, O Grande Amor, Vivo Sonhando (Dreamer)

BONUS TRACKS: The Girl From Ipanema (45 rpm issue), Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) (45 rpm issue)

IMPRESSIONS: This is the A-bomb that exploded the craze for bossa nova first in the U.S. and then all around the world. The performances of Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto are flawless and the songwriting of Antonio Carlos Jobim (both he and Gilberto being preeminent creators of the style) is vital but I find the most electrifying aspect to be the inclusion of Astrud Gilberto's vocals (on all too few songs but the ones that mattered obviously). Astrud was a housewife with no previous recording or performing experience and was included on the album against her husband's and Jobim's objections but Stan Getz and his wife Monica fought for her inclusion (despite her rather charming tendency to sing flat). How right they were! Astrud quickly became an immediate sensation and a global star.

MY FAVOURITE TRACKS: The Girl From Ipanema, Para Machuchar Meu Coração, Desafinado (Off Key), Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars), So Danço Samba, Vivo Sonhando (Dreamer)

FACT SHEET: GETZ/GILBERTO is the first jazz bossa nova album released by American jazz saxophonist Stan Getz teamed with Brazilian guitarist Joao Gilberto featuring songwriter/pianist Antonio Carlos Jobim and vocalist Astrud Gilberto. The album won 3 1965 Grammy Awards including one for Album of the Year; the first jazz album to ever win Album of the Year. The personnel for the recording are Stan Getz (tenor saxophone), Joao Gilberto (guitar, vocals), Antonio Carlos Jobim (piano), Astrud Gilberto (vocals), and Milton Banana (drums). There seems to be some confusion over who plays bass with Tommy Williams credited on the cd reissue but Sebastiao Neto getting credit elsewhere. The album was produced by orchestra leader Creed Taylor (famous for his "Shock" and "Panic" lounge albums). The cover painting is by Olga Albizu.