Jazz Samba Encore

 (18 customer reviews)

'Jazz Samba Encore' is a more muted affair than its predecessors 'Jazz Samba' and 'Big Band'. Although featuring both men, the emphasis is more on Luiz Bonfa than Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Bonfa's songs 'lack' Jobim's pop instincts, favouring a restrained, more groove-based effect, which can be quietly intoxicating, Getz's melancholy sax contributing to the mood. Even more upbeat songs like 'So Danco Samba', despite its title, are more of a late night shuffle than a beach monster. The effect can be largely attributed to singer Maria Toledo, whose strangely disembodied voice haunts the songs. She is rarely the focus, floating in and out of the background like a presiding ghost. Even in a song she clearly dominates, such as 'Insensatez', a phantosmagoric quality makes her vanish into the precious sadness of this song which, with Jobim's understated, unbearably poignant piano, is surely the most beautiful ever written.

Luiz Bonfa's playing is as beautiful as Stan Getz's playing is as good as Maria Toledo's singing. After several years I still can't get over how good these three are, and how beautiful each arrangement is - Antonio Carlos Jobim lent a hand with the arrangements and also appears on several tracks playing the piano in his distinct and most singinglike way. There are upbeat sambas as well as some incredibly moving slower tracks. Their version of "Insensatez" is, without doubt, the most beautiful ever recorded. It's such a treat to hear such wonderful music!Both Stan Getz and Luiz Bonfa as masterful "singers" of their instruments. Everything they play on this album is singable; and I give you my personal guarantee that they will give you goose bumps, make your eyes water, spine tingle. Maria Toledo's voice is one of a kind - powerful, with a dark but sensitive tone. Writing these things now as I ponder the effect "Jazz Samba...Read more

Though I am very fond of the previous album, Jazz Samba, over time this one has edged it out. The first venture sometimes seems like disconnected pieces assembled into an album, whereas this Jazz Samba Encore has a sustained swing and drive that give it an overall all sense of direction and unity that Jazz Samba now lacks for me.Also there is, in my estimation, more artistic balance on this album - Bonfa's playing and Toledo's singing are right there at Getz's level all the time, every time. This is a superb effort, there isn't a slice of turkey on the entire album. Pure pleasure.