Passarim is
Jobim's major statement of the '80s, emerging during a time when his concerns were turning increasingly toward the Planet Earth. The title song is one of
Jobim's most haunting creations, a cry of pain about the the destruction of the Brazilian rain forest that resonates in the memory for hours. Also, by this time,
Jobim had resumed touring with a large group containing friends and family, and they carry a great deal of the load here, with lots of airy female backup vocals, two worthy songs by
Jobim's multi-talented son
Paulo, and another by flutist/singer
Danilo Caymmi. Recorded entirely in Rio, the record's overall sound is very different from
Jobim's '60s and '70s work: denser, hazier, still grounded in the samba yet rougher in texture (as is
Jobim's voice). Though not as immediately winning as the
Creed Taylor-produced albums, this music repays repeated listening -- particularly the extended suite from
Jobim's score for the film Gabriela -- and there are samples of his wry humor in "Chansong" and the bossa nova reworking of "Fascinatin' Rhythm" ~ Richard S. Ginell