Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum

The Jobim in Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum isn't the late Antonio Carlos Jobim, who was rightly exalted as "The George Gershwin of Brazil" and wrote such well known standards as "Wave," "The Girl from Ipanema," "Chega de Saudade (No More Blues)," "One Note Samba," and "Triste." However, this Brazilian foursome does boast two of Jobim's relatives, including his son Paulo and his grandson Daniel. With Paulo on guitar and vocals, Daniel on piano and vocals, Paula Morelenbaum on vocals, and Jacques Morelenbaum on cello, Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum provides an enjoyable, if conventional, bossa nova CD that isn't unlike the recordings that Joao and Astrud Gilberto, Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, and others provided in the early '60s. You won't find a lot of surprises on this tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim -- "Corcovado," "Desafinado," "Agua de Beber," and "Waters of March" are standards that jazz and Brazilian pop artists have recorded countless times over the years, and Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum doesn't bring anything new or out of the ordinary to them. The most chance-taking track is Paolo's "Mantiqueira Range," a jazz instrumental that gives Jaques a chance to let loose on cello. Nonetheless, this is a pleasant and sincere tribute, if a generally predictable one; but because Paula and Daniel sing with such soul and charisma, you're inclined to be forgiving. These artists have a lot of talent; hopefully, they'll take more chances on future albums. ~ Alex Henderson