Solo in Rio 1959
Luiz Bonfá, along with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell and Joao Gilberto, helped invent Brazilian Bossa Nova. "The whisper heard around the world" was budding during the 1950s but achieved full flower a decade later. It was a coolly intellectual yet irresistibly melodic marriage of African-derived samba rhythms with American jazz and French Existentialism. Bonfá eventually became world-famous due to his contributions to the score ofOrfeo Negro, a much-honored film in which the tragic Greek legend was transmuted to Rio during Carnival time. The present tracks were produced by Emory Cook and this invaluable reissue not only revives a beautiful album but contains 15 previously unreleased tunes. The sonic environment is clear and spacious throughout, uncluttered by unnecessary studio adulterations. Bonfá was not a great singer but his wistful, straight-from-the-heart delivery makes mere technique seem showy and overdone. However, as a guitarist, he had no superiors and few peers. --Christina Roden