Paul Desmond - Bossa Antigua (1965)

Artist: Paul Desmond
Title Of Album: Bossa Antigua
Year Of Release: 1965
Label: RCA
Genre: Bossa Nova, Cool Jazz
Format: FLAC (Tracks)
Quality: Lossless
Total Time: 00:59:22
Total Size: 388 mb

Bossa Antigua picks up the samba-based rim shots of drummer Connie Kay on Take Ten and tries to make a whole new record out of them. While the title track duplicates the original percolating groove of "El Prince," other tracks like "Samba Cantina" revert to a typical bossa nova rhythm of the period, which leads one to conclude that "bossa antigua" is merely whatever Desmond says it is. Of the album's two non-originals, "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," of course, is made-to-order for Desmond's wistful, sophisticated temperament, and he delivers exactly what a Desmond devotee would expect and love; and "A Ship Without a Sail" has some memorable off-the-cuff solo ideas. Jim Hall is around again to lend subtle rhythm support and low-key savvy in his solos, and like many Desmond companions of this period, he makes a fine sparring partner in the contrapuntal exchanges. The Brubeck Quartet's Gene Wright again lends a sturdy hand on bass. The playing is wonderful throughout, though just missing the full-throttle inspiration of Take Ten.
Richard S. Ginell

Tracks:

1 Bossa Antigua (Desmond) 4:43
2 The Night Has a Thousand Eyes (Bernier, Brainin) 5:04
3 O Gato (Herbert) 4:33
4 Samba Cantina (Desmond) 5:38
5 Curacao Doloroso (Desmond) 4:30
6 A Ship Without a Sail (Hart, Rodgers) 6:18
7 Alianca (Desmond) 4:29
8 The Girl from East 9th Street (Desmond) 6:13
9 The Night Has a Thousand Eyes [alternate take] (Bernier, Brainin) 7:18
10 Samba Cepeda (Desmond) 5:06
11 O Gato [alternate take] (Herbert) 4:53

Personnel:

Paul Desmond - as
Jim Hall - g
Eugene Wright - b
Gene Cherico - b [#9 only]
Connie Kay - dr

Recorded in RCA Victor's Studio A, New York City, on June 14, 1963 (#9), on July 28 (#2, 6 & 8), 30 (#7 & 11) and and August 20 (#3 & 5), 1964.

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