Jobim Jazz

Although we often think of Antonio Carlos Jobim's bossa nova material as a kind of jazz, it isn't really, although he was familiar with the genre and often used its inflections and moods. With this album, however, Jobim definitely becomes jazzy. Guitarist Mario Adnet set out to do two things — keep the Brazilian roots of the music faithfully intact, but also give jazz arrangements, including horns, to the pieces, some of which have rarely been heard. He's succeeded beautifully in both aims. His charts capture the subtle melodies and gorgeous sprung rhythms, but offer a full sound, with room for improvisation. Kudos, too, to the band, who play superbly throughout, while the singing is understated (even that of Joyce on "Paulo Voo Livre"), keeping the focus firmly on the instrumentalists. Adnet is obviously a scholar of Jobim's work, and a passionate fan, with a deep desire to bring more people to Jobim's music, and to highlight the jazz elements in it. It becomes more than an academic exercise, and the lulling, often beautiful sound is filled with little inventions that propel it along.