Latin/Jazz by the Brazilians that launched the Bossa Nova
08/06/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The quintessential Latin/Jazz recording by the two Brazilians that launched the Bossa Nova movement. Recorded March 18th and 19th, 1963 in New York City by Phil Ramone, this disc features the classic Portuguese-English version of "The Girl From Ipanema" with vocals by the lovely and talented Astrud Gilberto. A must have for every Jazz collection."
Best Version of the Jazz Classic That's Out There!
Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 08/20/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This mini-lp sleeve version of this Jazz classic is the best version that's out there at the moment. The remastering job is quite good and so the sound quality is decent. We also get both the English and Japanese lyrics thrown in as an insert. The cardboard packaging which is a replica of the original vinyl sleeve is also a work of art. While the strength of "Girl From Ipanema" alone would carry this album, we also get "So Danco Samba" and a version of "Desafinado" here which is good but not as great as the brilliant version with that unforgetable Getz solo on the "Jazz Samba" album which although not as commercially successful as this album, is still overall the stronger album. Still, there is no denying the great impact this album has had on jazz and on bringing the whole samba genre onto the world map that this is still essential listening for fans of jazz and indeed for any fan of music in general. Recommended."