CD-Charts Position 11
Average Rating:

Jazz Samba

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd

Release Date May 20, 1997
Want to know what the world was like in 1963, in San Francisco, on sunny afternoons, when all the windows were open on a garden from a small apartment high on the Ashbury Street Hill where Anne and Stan Rice lived and wrote? --- Before the Flower Children came. ---- Then listen to this classic album, the album that defined "jazz" for me more than bossa nova. It was an album that made me want to flee the foggy streets of San Francisco, put on khaki clothes and drift south. It took me well over twenty years to get to Brazil, and the tunes were no longer in my head. Don't know who Stan and Anne are? No surprise. --- They were young writers, dreamers and students. ---- Just wanted to make this review a little reflective of what those moments ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 12
Average Rating:

Wave

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: Antonio Carlos Jobim

Release Date October 25, 1990
I really enjoy listening to Wave. I find the sound relaxing and the songs enjoyable. I recently started listening to the famous Getz/Gilberto album and I wanted to pickup albums from some of the other artists featured on it, hence Wave. Good album and I would recommend it to anyone who liked Getz/Gilberto.

CD-Charts Position 13
Average Rating:

On a Starry Night

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: Various Artists

Release Date April 15, 1997
I bought this CD based on the reviews and it was everything everyone said it was. I have older children that are in college and want the CD because when they listen to it with their brother, it's so relaxing. If you want gentle background music to lull your child to sleep, this is it. If you want to destress with soothing music, this is it. Excellent.

CD-Charts Position 14
Average Rating:

Donkey

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: CSS

Release Date July 22, 2008
I like this disk. I saw one reviewer compare them to Blondie... OK, but I thought that they sounded more like No Doubt - fun party music.

This is supposed to capture their "live" electricity, and I look forward to them getting up to the Philly area some time.

CD-Charts Position 15
Average Rating:

Laundry Service

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: Shakira

Release Date November 13, 2001
I know, I'm behind the times. I have listened to Shakira since she broke into the American music scene but only just now got around to buying this album.

I've heard and read about tons of people who complain she's too commercial on this album. Fine, it's pop. Meaning popular.

Still, even if you're distracted by that there's no doubt that her voice is haunting. Just freaking awesome. She stands out.

I plan on getting most her other albums over time. This one is a lot fun to listen too.

CD-Charts Position 16
Average Rating:

The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: Seu Jorge

Release Date November 22, 2005
Glad another reviewer pointed out "Seu" is the equivolent to "Mr.", and here I was thinking it was a pretty cool first name. DOH!

Overall, the "Studio Sessions" album a very pleasant breath of fresh air. It shares a similar tone to Nick Drake's "Pink Moon", which is also another outstanding acoustic album. Like many, I was enchanted by the Jorge scenes in "Life Aquatic", which compelled me to check out the soundtrack. Was very glad to see he has a seperate album.

"Changes" and "Quicksand" (never knew it was a Bowie song, as I thought it was a Dinosaur Jr. original the whole time) are my fave tracks, or well, of the ones not already on the original movie score. Jorge's version of "Rebel Rebel" is so sultry...dream-like, it makes me salivate every ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 17
Average Rating:

CéU

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: CéU

Release Date April 03, 2007
I heard about Céu when one of my friends on last.fm made me a recommendation. I think it's the best album I got this year.

It's a well balanced fusion of vocal jazz, regae, afro, funky, samba, Miles Davis and electronic chill out music. Really a good job.

Ceu reminds me in some way the first album of Norah Jones where you like every song. This is the same.

I'm impatient waiting for her second album.

CD-Charts Position 18
Average Rating:

Something for You: Elaine Elias Sings & Plays Bill Evans

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: Eliane Elias

Release Date January 15, 2008
I was not a big fan of Eliane Elias' "Dreamer," so I bought this c.d. with some trepidation. It has received really good reviews; would I be wrong to buck the tide?

As it turns out, I'm not bucking the tide. This c.d. proves a basic point: Eliane Elias is the best pianist who sings. That's not to say she's the best singer who plays piano: I'd vote for Diana Krall on that score. And it's not to say she's the best singer/pianist: I'd vote for Andy Bey, but with a special nod to Patricia Barber.

I review singers; but Eliane Elias is such a fabulous pianist here that I can't (and shouldn't) get past that point.

She has chosen to tribute Bill Evans, and I can't think of a better musician to do so. For one, she's married to Marc Johnson, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 19
Average Rating:

Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias From Peru

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: Various Artists

Release Date September 25, 2007
I love classic Cumbia, and I love classic Garage rock. SO Im thrilled to discover this intersection of styles. THe peruvian folk meoldies are an added bonus. Candy!

Thanks to whoever hunted down this style. It's great listening music and great dance music. highly recommended

CD-Charts Position 20
Average Rating:

Elis & Tom

CD-Charts > Music > South and Central America
by: Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina

Release Date January 05, 1990
For those who love music this album, along with "blue" from joni mitchell, "tapestry" from carloe king, "tracy chapman" from tracy chapman, "in the wee small hours of the morning" from frank sinatra, is a must hear album, one of the most brilliant albums of all times, and also a great opportunity to meet Elis Regina, the singer considered by the critics to be one of the ten greatest singers of all times. If you love music there is no excuse for not buying "Elis & Tom" and trust me, you will LOVE it.