Terra Brasilis [Digipak] - Antonio Carlos Jobim

Advantages: Not overlong at 10 tracks, gets better with each listen.
Disadvantages: Opening track not the strongest.

...All the best records take a few listens (at least) to reveal their true nature. On first play this sounded like a typical 2nd album - longer tracks, less up-tempo. A month on this has to be my favourite CD of 2007. Nearly all the 10 tracks have resolved into fantastic, atmospheric (and not always gloomy!) tales of urban life and escape. Great tunes underpin the songs, with the now-trademark steepling guitar riffs standing out most in the choruses. Some not unwelcome echos of The Smiths are to be found in the lyrics, most obviously in the title track, but tracks like Weight of the World and Escape The Nest are really uplifting, the latter also containing the finest moments on the album with its soaring, thrilling chorus. What a live track that promises to be... Recommended! Ok then, what about the digipak? Well if you like a glossy... Read review

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Advantages: Relaxing, sophisticated, easy to listen to, Diana's sexy voice
Disadvantages: Not much variety, could do with a few up tempo tracks

.... They are so laid back they’re almost horizontal! They are all beautifully sung and recorded and remind me of the great Brazilian songwriter/singer, Antonio Carlos Jobim. Besame Mucho is actually sung in Portuguese, it really is beautiful. These songs are definitely made for the summer, and conjure up images of Rio and white sandy beaches. Again, the Look of Love is an unusual choice for a jazz song but it is performed and arranged beautifully. This really is a lovely album. All the songs are relaxed and laid back, and the whole album definitely has a Latin feel. It is an album to listen to when you want to relax and chill out, maybe light a few candles, some incense and hopefully if you’re really good get your other half to give you an all over body massage (I’m going sex mad at the moment aren’t I?!)! It is perfect... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful lullaby voice, subtle but effective jazz backing
Disadvantages: None, all the songs are classics

.... It includes many classic standards that will be familiar to all of the jazz and Latin loving population. Many of them are co-written by the glorious Antonio Carlos Jobim, who has written many classic easy listening bossa nova tunes such as The Girl From Ipanema and Corcovado. There are 25 songs on the album, and it would be too long to include notes about every song, but I will give you an outline of the best recordings on this album. Track: 1. Once I loved. A beautiful Bossa Nova with a lovely flute, guitar and strings backing. A happy song tinged with sadness. Suits Astrud’s voice beautifully. 2. Agua De Beber. A classic up beat bossa, with simple guitar and piano backing. A very simple but wonderfully effective song, with a few notes sung by Joao Gilberto. This is one of my all time favourite songs, a true classic. 3... Read review

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