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Following some chat on here recently about British Bossa Nova, I thought I'd throw a little mix together - hope you enjoy!
Download the lot here
01 Annie Ross – Crickets Sing For Anamaria (Decca LP 1970)
Let's kick things off with a great version of the Marcos Valle classic...
02 Anna Dell – Somewhere In The Hills (Hollick & Taylor LP 1960s)
Organist Anna tackles a few bossas on this LP, but this is my favourite - one of the lesser heard Jobim songs. Private press LP from Birmingham.
03 Johnny Scott Quintet – Carnival (Columbia LP 1967)
Nice version of Bonfa's classic from flautist Scott who seemed to have a real affinity for bossa nova - he pops up as writer, arranger and player on lots of brit bossa stuff.
04 Blossom Dearie – Dindi (Fontana LP 1967)
With her Astrud Gilberto-like little girl's voice, Blossom is perfectly suited to the genre. The players are unnamed but it's got to be David Snell on harp I reckon
05 The Kinks – No Return (Pye LP 1967)
OK, bit of a wild card selection this one but bare with me. Heavy bossa influence and Ray Davies with his natural melancholia actually gets the genre's bitter/sweet tone spot on
06 Caterina Valente & Edmundo Ros – Canto De Ossanha (Phase 4 Stereo LP 1969)
One of the more authentic UK efforts, this is a great stab at the Baden Powell classic
07 Cy Grant featuring Bill le Sage – Brazilian Breezes (World Record Club LP 1964)
Cy has top billing, but all the best tracks don't actually feature him. This is a Bill le Sage original and he's joined on it by other UK bossa aficionados Shake Keane and Ray Swinfield on flute.
08 Jon Hendricks – Reza (Fontana LP 1970)
Epic version of the Edu Lobo classic, with a nice Ronnie Scott solo
09 David Snell – Bossa Bambino (Studio 2 Stereo LP 1966)
Cute little harp led bossa, with that man Johnny Scott popping up again
10 Roy Castle – The Gentle Rain (MFP LP)
I used to have the much nicer Columbia issue of this LP, but it's lost in the mists of time.
Nice version of the Bonfa classic, featuring jazz heavyweights Gordon Beck and some nice flute work from Ray Swinfield (again)
11 James Clarke + Sounds – Spring Bossa (Fontana LP '68)
Clarke was another UK writer who really seemed to get the bossa feel. It's Johnny Scott and Shake Keane involved again.
12 Morgan James Duo – One Note Samba (Philips LP 1966)
This UK jazz vocal duo tackled a few bossas over their 3 LPs - their harmonies and solid jazz chops on double bass and guitar make this version stand out
13 Shake Keane – Bossa Negra (Pama LP 1970)
Lovely slinky bossa from Shake, I haven't heard his early 60s version of this so don't know how it compares. All the usual suspects involved like Johnny Scott.
14 Voices In Latin – Busy (Morgan LP 1968)
No Brit bossa mix is complete without the presence of Barbara Moore who had a real knack for the idiom - this is a nice uptempo thing written by her to finish off with
Download the lot here
01 Annie Ross – Crickets Sing For Anamaria (Decca LP 1970)
Let's kick things off with a great version of the Marcos Valle classic...
02 Anna Dell – Somewhere In The Hills (Hollick & Taylor LP 1960s)
Organist Anna tackles a few bossas on this LP, but this is my favourite - one of the lesser heard Jobim songs. Private press LP from Birmingham.
03 Johnny Scott Quintet – Carnival (Columbia LP 1967)
Nice version of Bonfa's classic from flautist Scott who seemed to have a real affinity for bossa nova - he pops up as writer, arranger and player on lots of brit bossa stuff.
04 Blossom Dearie – Dindi (Fontana LP 1967)
With her Astrud Gilberto-like little girl's voice, Blossom is perfectly suited to the genre. The players are unnamed but it's got to be David Snell on harp I reckon
05 The Kinks – No Return (Pye LP 1967)
OK, bit of a wild card selection this one but bare with me. Heavy bossa influence and Ray Davies with his natural melancholia actually gets the genre's bitter/sweet tone spot on
06 Caterina Valente & Edmundo Ros – Canto De Ossanha (Phase 4 Stereo LP 1969)
One of the more authentic UK efforts, this is a great stab at the Baden Powell classic
07 Cy Grant featuring Bill le Sage – Brazilian Breezes (World Record Club LP 1964)
Cy has top billing, but all the best tracks don't actually feature him. This is a Bill le Sage original and he's joined on it by other UK bossa aficionados Shake Keane and Ray Swinfield on flute.
08 Jon Hendricks – Reza (Fontana LP 1970)
Epic version of the Edu Lobo classic, with a nice Ronnie Scott solo
09 David Snell – Bossa Bambino (Studio 2 Stereo LP 1966)
Cute little harp led bossa, with that man Johnny Scott popping up again
10 Roy Castle – The Gentle Rain (MFP LP)
I used to have the much nicer Columbia issue of this LP, but it's lost in the mists of time.
Nice version of the Bonfa classic, featuring jazz heavyweights Gordon Beck and some nice flute work from Ray Swinfield (again)
11 James Clarke + Sounds – Spring Bossa (Fontana LP '68)
Clarke was another UK writer who really seemed to get the bossa feel. It's Johnny Scott and Shake Keane involved again.
12 Morgan James Duo – One Note Samba (Philips LP 1966)
This UK jazz vocal duo tackled a few bossas over their 3 LPs - their harmonies and solid jazz chops on double bass and guitar make this version stand out
13 Shake Keane – Bossa Negra (Pama LP 1970)
Lovely slinky bossa from Shake, I haven't heard his early 60s version of this so don't know how it compares. All the usual suspects involved like Johnny Scott.
14 Voices In Latin – Busy (Morgan LP 1968)
No Brit bossa mix is complete without the presence of Barbara Moore who had a real knack for the idiom - this is a nice uptempo thing written by her to finish off with
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