(Bossa Nova)Tamba Trio - Classics - 1997, MP3 (tracks), 320 kbps

One of the most important bossa nova groups, Tamba Trio has always been characterized by the sophisticated musical concept and arrangements. Initially, they would back up mainly Brazilian singers, such as Maysa and Leny Andrade, as well as pianist Luнs Carlos Vinhas and guitarist Roberto Menescal. The group’s definitive formation made its debut in March 1962 at the Bottle's Bar, located in the home of bossa nova - Beco das Garrafas. Tamba Trio set the trend for several instrumental-vocal groups which appeared in that period. Using microphones attached to the lapels, the group performed elaborate vocal arrangements. ~ AllBrazilianMusic
This Brazilian double-disc collection retraces the Tamba Trio's career from 1962 to 1968, the years were they first made their mark and became an enduring part of the Brazilian musical pantheon. The sequencing on this set is odd in that it is assembled from the point of view of aesthetics and gives no quarter to chronology. Therefore, the smash 45 version of "Desafinado" by Tom Jobim from 1968 opens the set while the group's first single, "O Amor que Acabou" from 1962, is near the end of disc two. None of this matters, however, as the 28 cuts included offer a stunning portrait of the band's first seven years. All of the Tamba Trio's 45s are present from the period, as are choice album selections. Versions of "Berimbau" from 1964 and "Moca Flor" from 1963 are juxtaposed against "Quem de Bera" and "Agua de Berber" from 1966 and 1968, respectively, and the beautiful, even stunning reading of Marcos Valle's "Sohno de Maria" and Edъ Lobo's "Reza" are almost worth the price alone. There are no weak or even average moments included on this stellar collection. Given that this relfects the Tamba Trio before any personnel changes, listeners can reflect on just how visionary and uncannily consistent the band was. This is a set that should be available in America. ~ Thom Jurek, AMG
How best to describe the Tamba Trio? Maybe a mix of samba percussion, with piano & flute, as well as some nice vocals that make us feel like we are surfing to the music in the oceans of Rio. I have been a long time collector of vynyl and as i dont necessarily prefer the digital format of music in general, Im greatful to have come into discovery of this magnifiscent Brazilian trio/quartet. The music here came from some of their earliest recordings, and I wish someday they would release "Samba Blim" on the CTI label. "Avanco" was one of their first releases with an actual title. Most of the other LPs were simply self-titled and hard to distinguish due to not having different titles, but theyre all great albums and its unfortunate that the man who sold them to me did not take very good care of them, so i have had to buy the CD. Still, Im glad many more people have the ability to find these earlier arrangements, as I find these talented young men the best group around for cool, rich, & cooking orchestrations interpreting the masters of the bossanova movement. ~ John Vietor