Astrud returns with original bossa nova

It was way back in the early ‘60s when bossa nova was on its way to becoming the hot Latin dance step of the moment. Kids of the time might balk at doing the cha cha or getting into a conga line but the bossa nova was cool and had even cooler music to go with it. But then before bossa nova could become the new cha cha, the British Invasion happened and bossa nova dancing faded into oblivion.

Strangely though, while hip clubbers would never be caught dead doing the Latin step, they did not mind listening to the music of bossa nova. In fact it was so popular that most of the big stars of the period recorded bossa-tinged ballads. Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra, Fool on the Hill by the Beatles, She’s Not There by the Zombies and others.

The works of three great Brazilian musicians were responsible for keeping the public excited about bossa nova. These were Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto and the woman whose cool vocal styling immortalized the music, Astrud Gilberto. They immigrated to the US in 1963 and shortly after hooked up with American jazz artist Stan Getz. They collaborated on the innovative Getz/Gilberto album, which made Latin jazz an American staple and Astrud, a pop star.

Astrud had this deceptively simple, langorous singing style so evocative of a tropical paradise. Non-singers thought they would pass muster if they could coo and whisper like Astrud. Not so. Astrud, who was married to Joao at the time, was actually so precise in her delivery and was rightfully admired as an important jazz talent. But who cares about the intricacies of jazz singing when listening to songs like The Girl from Ipanema which conjures images of tanned, long-legged beauties on the sun-kissed beach or to A Certain Sadness, which invites cuddling during rainy nights?

I am not sure if bossa nova as a dance step is back in favor but the music certainly is. Sitti may be credited with bringing back the trend but I see it as the natural evolvement of guitar-based acoustic recordings coupling with Latin rhythms. But no matter where it came from, bossa is hot these days and listening to the new versions has also brought about interest in its original form as performed by Astrud Gilberto.

The album is Coffee & Bossa The Chillout Sound of Astrud Gilberto. Don’t you find it remakable that the term "chillout" was not yet in existence when Astrud recorded her biggest hits? Anyway some cuts included in the album are The Girl From Ipanema, Windy, Agua de Beber, Photograph, So Nice (Summer Samba), Fly Me to the Moon, Without Him, Day by Day, Meditation, One Note Samba, Dindi, Who Can I Turn To, Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars, A Certain Sadness, Misty Roses, Berimbau, Garota de Ipanema, the original Brazilian version of The Girl from Ipanema and as a bonus track, Here’s That Rainy Day.

Bossa nova with a twist

For bossa nova music with a twist, you might want to try out Bossa n’ Marley. Now the bossa nova is usually associated with Latin-influenced jazz, not reggae, so finding this various artists’ collection was really a surprise. The Marley here is Bob Marley, who must be the greatest reggae artist of all time.

So what is Marley’s reggae music doing with bossa nova? Well, Jamaica and Brazil are both sun-drenched places where chillout music helps steer volatile tempers into the amorous assignations. Besides, this just goes to show how much bossa nova has once again captured the hearts of all sorts of music lovers everywhere.

Listen to Redemption Song by the Amazonics; No Woman No Cry by Urban Love featuring Astrud C. & Moana; I Shot the Sheriff by Sao Vicente featuring Marlene; Stir It Up by Michelle Simonal; Sun is Shining by Trippynova; Positive Vibration by Dual Sessions; Is This Love by Groove Da Praia; Get Up Stand Up by Sawa and Waiting in Vain by Ituana.

Sitti’s live album

Speaking of Sitti, who is getting ready to release a live album soon, buyers of her CD now get free limited edition perfume samples from Paris Hilton, Mango, Moschino, Perry Ellis Women and Versace Red. The same freebie goes to buyers of the latest albums by Certified Warner Divas like Paris Hilton, Nina, Cassie and Madonna. But if you buy the new CDs of all five of them, you get a bottle of the perfume of your choice. Offer is good while supplies last and at selected outlets only.