Bossa Nova and the Rise of Brazilian Music in the 1960s ? review

(Soul Jazz)

Created by a coterie of young sophisticates from Rio in the late 1950s, bossa nova ("new way") conquered Brazil, then became a world music via artists such as Jo�o Gilberto and Tom Jobim and the totemic hit "The Girl From Ipanema". Bossa's airy vocals, cool jazz and slinky samba exuded an optimism later dashed by 1964's military coup. This dazzling 2CD set (by DJ Gilles Peterson) mixes the urban pizzazz of Elis Regina and Jorge Ben with edgier creations such as Baden Powell's praise song "Canto De Ossanha", which still sounds avant garde. A terrific booklet joins the cultural dots to fellow futurists such as architect Oscar Niemeyer. Wonderful.

• World music
• Jazz

Neil Spencer

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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jan/16/bossa-nova-brazilian-music-review

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