Koch Records
2007
Bossa Nova '67
About This Album
While Bossa Nova 67 is a high point in the early career of Japan's best known saxophonist Sadao Watanabe it should be noted that it wasn't released Stateside on CD until 2007. Watanabe hadn't created a name for himself in the States yet. In fact, it was only his fifth record as a leader (the first was in 1961) and was his second bossa nova recording in a row. Watanabe had a real feel for Brazilian music from the beginning, and this was shown early on. Since the '60s, Watanabe has done numerous bossa and samba recordings. What is most interesting about this set, however, is that the saxophonist's mature voice not only on alto, but on the flute as well, was already in full evidence here. His approach to both rhythm and harmony was very different from the Americans and Europeans who had indulged the form earlier on. With a backing ensemble that included star pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, future vanguard drumming legend Masahiko Togashi, bassist Isao Suzuki, Sadanori Nakamure on guitar, and percussionist Hideo Miyata on the cabasa, Watanabe played in front of a full string section as well. The repertoire here almost all standards -- "Girl from Ipanema," "Meditation," "Black Orpheus," "Dindi," "Mas Que Nada," "Bonita," "So Danco Samba" -- with a few pop tunes tossed into the mix like "Fly Me to the Moon," "A Man and a Woman," and "The Shadow of Your Smile.
Track List (try tracks 2,3,4,6 and 7)

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