New Beat Bossa Nova - Zoot Sims

Barquinho De Papel

New Beat Bossa Nova

Mean The Samba Swings

Zoot Sims and His Orchestra

Producer: Jack Lewis

Recorded at Columbia's 30th St. Studio on August 20, 1962

Engineer: Frank Laico

Colpix Records CP 435

From the back cover: The "bossa nova" translated into English means "the new beat." In its faster temp, it very closely resembles the samba. The slower beat is more like that of the rhumba. However, there is a distinct subtlety of rhythmic difference that separates the bossa nova from both the samba and rhumba. The most characteristic and distinguishing features of the bass nova are rich melodic lines and an overall lightness of ease and expression.

The authentic bossa nova requires several, specific percussive instruments – all of which are used on this recording. One of these is the beaded cabaso, which is somewhat like a gourd, except that it is filled with seeds or beads and shook instead of scratched. Ti sounds just a shade lighter than maracas. Another is the tubos shaker, which is a wooden tube, often made of bamboo, that is also filled with beads or pellets.

On this recording a regular set of drums is used, but for authenticity, the main attacks are light use of the snare and cymbals with definite patterns for the cow bell and claves. A triangle, hit from the inside and the sound immediately deadened, is used on certain accents. This definite accentuation is another mark which characterizes the bass nova from the samba, as the samba is known in North America.

The guitar is of primary importance in the bossa nova. In this album there are two guitars, one is used percussively only, and the other plays melody. The bossa nova through the samba with certain African influences is descended from the songs of the troubadours, and this, perhaps, is among the reason why the guitar is vital.

Other instrumentation which is essential to the true bossa nova includes prominent use of reeds and woodwinds. Almost every member of the e dailies may be used exert the double-reeded instruments.

Persoonell on this recording reads like a list of "Who's Who Among Musicians." These playing winds and reeds are Spencer Sinatra, piccolo, flute and alto flute; Phil Woods, clarinet; Gene Will, clarinet and bass clarinet and Ronnie Odrich on flute and clarinet, Art Davis handles brass. The percussion section includes Sol Gubin, Ted Sommer and Willie Rodriguez. Kenny Burrell plays percussive guitar.

To two soloists are Zoot Sims on tenor and Jim Hall on guitar. Bot Sims and Hall are noted for their individual tone and technique. Together they achieve some intriguing, inventive and imaginative instrumental counterplay.

While the bosses of foolish origin, it has definite jazz overtones, which allow the soloist to improvise rather freely, Sims and Hall do just that, but their message never intrudes or invades. Even the more spirited tunes have the infectious melodic strains and the overall released feeling that identifies the bossa nova.

The bossa nova was recently introduced to the United States by a group of American musician who heard it played in Brazil. Al Cohn and Manny Albam have studied the bossa nova and come up with amazingly perceptive and authentic settings. Sims, Hall and crew express these arrangements win a manner and style that are sure to make the bossa nova a new and permanent favorite for American listeners and dancers.

Recado Bossa Nova Pt. 1

Recado Bossa Nova Pt. 2

Cano Canoe

Contando A Orquestra

Ciume

Maria Ninguen

Sem Saudades De Voce

Barquinho De Papel