This compilation should be titled Blue Latin because it's more of a sampler of various Latin jazz styles than just a bossa nova-jazz mix. In an age of overzealous marketing and grab-bag reissues, though, the oversight is understandable. Thankfully, the misguided approach doesn't dim the quality of this very enjoyable Blue Note release. The six actual bossa nova tracks in the collection -- out of 14 -- range from effervescent, hard bop treatments by
Hank Mobley ("Recado Bossa Nova") and Cannonball Adderly ("Sambop") to languid ballad renditions by
Ike Quebec ("Loie") and
Eliane Elias ("Waters of March/Agua de Beber"). The most authentic and best of the bunch is
Duke Pearson's "Sandalia Dela," which spotlights Brazilian stars
Airto Moreira and
Flora Purim. Another standout is John Patton's B-3 organ bossa "Latona," which features inspired solos by guitarist
Grant Green and vibraphonist
Bobby Hutcherson. Throughout this collection, in fact, excellent solos and support abound by the likes of
Lee Morgan, Joe Henderson,
Willie Bobo,
Dom Um Romao,
Nana Vasconcelos,
Horace Silver, and J.J. Johnson, among others. The remaining numbers on
Blue Bossa showcase everything from mambos to calypso. The highlights here include
Horace Parlan's piano trio number "Congalegre,"
Kenny Dorham's superbly arranged, large ensemble original "Afrodesia," and
Donald Byrd's cool cooker "Ghana." If you fancy more authentic Brazilian jazz, bossa nova, or otherwise, then check out Blue Note's excellent Blue Brazil series, which features Brazilian musicians exclusively. If you are a jazz fan with a yen for
Stan Getz and the whole stateside bossa nova craze of the '60s, then
Blue Bossa is a great buy.