Roberto Menescal was not only a respected and widely interpreted songwriter but a seminal guitarist, and the Pure Bossa Nova collection summarizes both rather neatly (though briefly). Roughly half of the 14-track collection features instrumentals by Menescal's group, which often included Luís Carlos Vinhas, João Mário, Henrique, and Bebeto. The rest are vocal versions of Menescal songs by Elis Regina, Sylvia Telles, Lúcio Alves, and others. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide