In the 1950s, by harnessing the exuberant power of samba in gently plucked rhythms and his soft, intimate whispering of the lyrics, guitarist-singer-songwriter Joo Gilberto helped launch a musical revolution. While not its most important composer, Gilberto became bossa nova's premier interpreter. , recorded in 1991, features him and his guitar backed by an orchestra (arranged by Clare Fischer) and shows a master in complete control of his craft and his powers. He navigates the lyrics with impeccable diction and uncanny phrasing, heightening the drama by seemingly staying half a breath behind the beat then landing precisely on a particular word, for emphasis. He makes even Italian ("Malaga"), English (Cole Porter's "You Do Something to Me"), and French ("Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours") sound like natural bossa nova languages. Gilberto's seductive style is smooth, casual, and deceptively easy on the ear; but even in a set with no classics, as this one, each of its miniatures seems to hide a reward to a closer listening.
