Breathe – The Relaxing Jazz Guitar; Breathe – Relaxing Bossa – both Telarc

Breathe – The Relaxing Jazz Guitar – Telarc compilation CD-83668, 52:58 ****:
Breathe – Relaxing Bossa – Telarc compilation CD-83666, 55:07 **** [Release dates – May 22, 07]:

These are two more efforts in Telarc’s very functional and well-thought-out reissue sampler series – designed to provide a  needed interlude of quiet in the hectic world of today. The first disc brings complete selections from a variety of performers of jazz guitar, all recorded with Telarc’s topflight sonic approach. Have a look at the names below, listed with the selections on each CD.

Bossa Nova appears to be enjoying a bit of a comeback, and you couldn’t go wrong with Telarc’s reissue package if you want some quiet Brazilian sounds to go with a party or just relaxation in your home. There are some vocals, but nothing too raucous.  The sounds are all beautifully recorded and well-matched in their relative audio level. If you find either of these compilations – both at around a very reasonable $7 level – to your liking, you’ll be interested in some of the others in the Breathe series, including: Jazz Piano, Music from Movies, Piano, Harp, and Strings.

TrackLists:

GUITAR: Ah Moore – Joe Pass; My Funny Valentine –  Ulf Wakenius; The First Hint of Autumn – John Pizzarelli; Flowers for Emmet Till – Russell Malone; Letter from Home – LAGQ; In My Mother’s Eyes – Al Di Meola; Summertime – Ulf Wakenius; Blues for Junior – Herb Ellis; Whistle Stop – Jim Hall; Soulful Moments – Ernest Ranglin; Joao – Jim Hall

BOSSA NOVA: The Girl from Ipanema – John Pizzarelli; Wave – Gerry Mulligan with Jane Duboc on vocals; Sutilezas – Rosa Passos; Blue Bossa – McCoy Tyner; Corcovado – Paquito D’Rivera; Aguas de Marco – John Pizzarelli; Paraiso – Gerry Jullian & Jane Duboc, vocals; Detalhe – Rosa Passos; O Barquinho – Karrin Allyson; Rio de Janeiro Blue – Freddy Cole; How Insensitive – Charlie Byrd Trio with Ken Peplowski, clarinet

 – John Henry