1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: 41. Stan Getz and João Gilberto – Getz/Gilberto (1964)

Under the last Stan Getz album I said that it sounded like The Girl From Ipanema, and here we get pretty much the original version, certainly the one that took off as a commercial hit (there may have been one lesser-known version released before this). 

The album is bossa nova jazz, smooth and chilled but unlike Getz’s previous album, which was entirely instrumental, this one features vocals from Gilberto, and from his then-wife Astrud Gilberto on tracks like The Girl From Ipanema and Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars). Although it’s a relaxed sound, with TGFI now pretty much a cliche for elevator or hold muzak, there’s a bit more life and soul to it, especially when Astrud’s warm vocals come in. 

Getz himself is of Ukrainian descent, so it’s Brazilian Gilberto who brings the true Latin spirit, with Portuguese vocals. Apparently the two of them had such a difficult experience that when they collaborated a second time Getz did one side of the album and Gilberto the other. I don’t have much more to say on this one. Laid back. Minimalist. Bossa nova. Good female vocals. 

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