Amorosa
It's become increasingly difficult to find a Brazilian bossa nova singer not interested in electronic production values. For those yearning to hear bossa nova music played acoustically, singer Rosa Passos is the answer. Her pitch perfect voice is almost girlish and coy, but her supple phrasing shows her to be a true veteran. Her star's been on the rise since her impressive contributions to Yo-Yo Ma'sObrigado Brazil(Ma guests here as well), and now she's landed on Sony Classical for her major label debut. A tip of the hat to Joao Gilberto's classicAmorosofeatures four bossa nova classics from that album, two more Antonio Carlos Jobim compositions and six others. The small-group arrangements are often restrained but jazzy (channeling a little Stan Getz), while the orchestral format for three tunes is a velvety a nod to Claus Ogerman's lush arrangements of many bossa nova classics. This is an instant classic from one of the music's finest interpreters. –-Tad Hendrickson