Stan Getz/Luiz Bonfá With Maria Toledo – Jazz Samba Encore! – Verve Records V6-8523 (1963)/Verve/Universal Music Enterprises 602488202145 Acoustic Sounds Series 180-gram stereo vinyl, 40:12 ****1/2:
Stan Getz’ 1963 collaboration with Brazilian legend Luiz Bonfá gets an excellent vinyl upgrade.
(Stan Getz – tenor saxophone; Luis Bonfá – guitar; Antonio Carlos Jobim – guitar, piano; Maria Toledo – vocals; Tommy Williams – double bass; George Duvivier – double bass; Don Payne – double bass; Paulo Ferreira – drums; Jose Carlos – drums, percussion; Dave Bailey – drums, percussion)
Stan Getz was a renowned jazz saxophonist. Part of his impressive legacy was being at the forefront of America embracing Samba and Bossa Nova. In two years at Verve Records, he recorded five albums in this genre, collaborating with Charlie Byrd, Luis Bonfá, João Gilberto and others. These albums drew positive critical reviews and commercial success. He would continue to record most notably with Astrud Gilberto, and their version of “The Girl From Ipanema” moved Brazilian music into the cultural mainstream, providing new contexts to music, cinema and television.
Verve/United Music Enterprises (Acoustic Sounds Series) has released a 180-gram vinyl upgrade of Stan Getz – Jazz Samba Encore!. The album features compositions by Bonfá, Antonio Carlos Jobim and vocalist Maria Toledo. This is a bona fide translation of the intricate melodies and rhythms of Brazilian music showcasing a combination of jazz and native players. Side A opens with Bonfá’s breezy “Sa. Getz and Bonfá Getz’ mellifluous delivery with slight vibrato merges with the gentle rhtyhm and precision acoustic guitars in this 2-minute gem Toledo’s ethereal vocalese adds texture.. Following in this infectious groove, “Só Danço Samba” glides along with a concise pulse with Getz providing measured and warm tones with occasional punctuation. The first of Jobim’s songs (“Insensate”) is covered with late-night resonance. Toledo’s sultry, relaxed vocals fold neatly into the gentle moodiness. and Getz assimilates the inherent melancholy. A certain highlight is the near 7-minute instrumental “O Morro Não Tem Fez”. The acoustic guitar work is fluent and very percussive. Getz’ saxophone alternates between low-keyed breathy annotation and well-timed subtle urgency. “Samba De Duas Notas” returns to the upbeat free flowing dynamics and harmonic instrumental reciprocation.
Side B kicks off with “Menina Flor” which has Toledo’s most emotional performance. Getz pairs with the singer in the first verse. Bonfá’s acoustic guitar is both tempo-driven and expressive. “Mania De Maria” is another stellar guitar offering, with Getz adding vigorous shading. Getz and Toledo harmonize on the beginning of “Saudade Vem Correndo”. Again, Bonfà’s crisp articulation is in the spotlight. Getz exudes a hypnotic syncopated essence before the final duet with Toledo. Bonfà and Getz exert a playful nuanced chemistry on “Un Abraço No Getz”. Here, the saxophonist cuts loose in improvisational hard bop riffs and Bonfà follows with playful exuberance in anticipation of a saxophone run with searing tonality.. The finale, “Samba De Duas Notas” picks up the pace for a satisfying tempo-driven conclusion to the album.
Jazz Samba Encore! Is an historical precursor to the global expansion of Brazilian music. The re-mastered sound has meticulous detail, especially on the acoustic guitar. It captures the feathery aesthetics and spacing (a Verve staple). Toledo’s sultry voice is placed strategically like an instrument. Getz’ smoky tenor is centered and deeply resonating. This pressing (QRP) is quiet with little surface noise, hisses or pops. Excellent packaging includes a hi-gloss gatefold with protective album sleeves.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Jazz Samba Encore!
TrackList:
Side A;
Sambalero;
Só Danço Samba;
Insensatez;
O Morro Não Tem Vez;
Samba De Duas Notas
Side B:
Menina Flor;
Mania De Maria;
Saudade Vem Correndo;
Un Abraço No Getz;
Ebony Samba
