Finest Hour

Antonio Carlos Jobim's music transports the listener to a calm and breezy day on a beach in Brazil. The style is Brazilian Bossa Nova, birthed from the Jazz genre. Jobim helped turn America on to its blend of sophisticated sensibility and nostalgic presentation. The songs are primarily instrumental, more recognizable to the average listener as elevator music.

"Finest Hour" is made as a well organized introduction to Jobim. It is an essential record to own if you own only one of his records. "Agua De Beber" is irresistible in its relaxed and sexy lounge style. The wine-tinged piano adds mood and texture to the song as it does to the others. The one-handed piano technique paints a dream-like quality for the listener.

One of his most popular songs, "Girl from Ipanema," sung first in Portuguese by Jobim and then in English by Astrud Gilberto, is a reminiscence of a beautiful girl that never seems to stop for anyone. An alternate, strictly instrumental version of the song is also featured on the album. The female chic of Astrud Gilberto, however, makes the vocal version much better. Her effortlessness in "Corcovado" showcases even more of her talent.

You can hear the South American roots being played from the impoverished streets, formulated into a (then) new style of jazz.