Brazilliance, Vol. 1

Read About This Recording

Atabaque; Amor Flamengo; Stairway To The Stars; Acertate Mas; Terra Seca; Speak Low; (orig. & alt. take); Inquietacao; Baa-Too-Kee; Carinoso; Tocata; Hazardous; Nono; Noctambulism; Blue Baiao.

Laurindo Almeida, Guitar; Bud Shank, Alto Saxophone; Harry Babasin, Bass; Roy Harte, Drums.

When one thinks of the birth of bossa nova, the very appealing blend of Brazilian rhythms and American West Coast jazz, the 1962 Stan Getz-Charlie Byrd collaboration called Jazz/Samba comes immediately to mind, along with the early music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joao Gilberto. However, way back in 1953, Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida and the American altoist-flutist Bud Shank recorded Brazilliance, an obvious direct predecessor of bossa nova.

Almeida, who was as much a classical guitarist as a jazz improviser, was best known at the time for his work with Stan Kenton while Shank (who had also been with Kenton) was one of the top West Coast jazz soloists. When they made their first historic recording (there would be others including many when they co-led the L.A. Four in the 1970s), Almeida and Shank performed in a quartet with bassist Harry Babasin and drummer Roy Harte. Ten of the 14 selections were based on Brazilian folk songs and many of these performances (especially Carinoso) are very melodic and quite memorable. The actual bossa nova rhythms of the 1960s may not have been technically there yet, but the music is very close to bossa nova in spirit and quite original in its own right.

This historically significant, very accessible and highly recommended release is a gem.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Atabaque; Amor Flamengo; Stairway To The Stars; Acertate Mas; Terra Seca; Speak Low; Speak Low (alt. take); Inquietacao; Baa-Too-Kee; Carinoso; Tocata; Hazardous; Nono; Noctambulism; Blue Baiao.

Laurindo Almeida, Guitar; Bud Shank, Alto Sax; Harry Babasin, Bass; Roy Harte, Drums.