Luiz Bonfa Solo in Rio 1959 Sampler

Here's a sampler from an album that kicked my ass earlier this week: Luiz Bonfa Solo in Rio 1959. It's part of the Smithsonian Folkways additions to Rhapsody this year, and features the bossa nova pioneer alone with his guitar.

Unadorned, but not at all raw. It's rich, smooth, and lively with occasional graceful vocals and constant inventive fretwork. Night and Day in particular includes some simultaneous bass line and soloing gymnastics that would tie most hands into a sheepshank knot.

Luiz Bonfa Solo in Rio 1959 Sampler

Night and Day
Sambolero
Bonfabuloso
Perdidio de Amor
Tenderly