Nova Twinds

Quarteto Brasil is made up of four veteran Brazilian musicians, with a fifth as an added guest on several tracks. Led by pianist Cristуvгo Bastos, who also wrote and arranged most of the compositions played on the session, the group includes saxophonist Ze Canuto (who plays soprano and alto), bassist Bororo (listed as an acoustic bassist, though it sounds like he's using an electric bass), drummer Jurim Moreira and percussionist Marcalzinho. This disc is not typical bossa nova, as the musicians are very forward thinking and take plenty of chances, especially in Bastos' engaging "Subdindo a Rocinha."

Fresh from the sudden success of Jazz Samba and "Desafinado," Stan Getz asked the 28-year-old, strikingly gifted Gary McFarland to arrange a bossa nova album for big band as a follow-up. Getz is always his debonair, wistful, freely-floating self, completely at home in the Brazilian idiom that he'd adopted only a few months before. McFarland usually keeps things nice and spare (although "One Note Samba" is uncharacteristically cluttered and a bit too discordant for the material), letting his pungent voicings stab the air now and then, while allowing the soloists all the room they want within the confines of producer Creed Taylor's tight timings. Four of the eight songs are by McFarland (none of which would become standards), and Getz makes relaxed impressions with "Manha de Carnival" and "Chega de Saudade." Jim Hall takes the role of acoustic guitarist from Charlie Byrd with his usual fluidity…