Locals consider Elis Regina the most gifted Brazilian singer ever. She died too soon, in 1982. Tom Jobim is one of the creators of Bossa Nova and the conductor that made the genre famous worldwide. This combination alone would make this CD remarkable. But there's more. A lot more.

Elis was in her top shape in 1974 when the CD was recorded. The arrangements are subtle, delicate. Jobim's piano is sublime here. The recording is flawless, the textures, the tones, everything is crisp and present. Many takes are FIRST TAKES. The emotion was captured raw and sincere, very few overdubs were done.

A rare gem.

If you go to a Brazilian's home and browse through his/her CD collection, chances are this CD will be there. If you ask a musician from that country what are the top 10 albums ever, chances are this will be listed.

If you have to own ONE Brazilian CD, this should be it.

A lot of people call this music "easy listening" but if one pays attention to the subtleties, they'll notise it's really not. It's very sophisticated, fascinating music that grows better with age, like a fine wine. Case in point: "Elis & Tom"

This album was not released in the U.S. (even though it was recorded in Los Angeles) until 1989. What a travesty. For those who loved "Wave," this one is for you. Elis Regina's voice fits Jobim's music like a glove: laid back, occasionally light-humoured, and sometimes sad. The accompaniment is equally amazing. Stark guitar smoothed landscapes without a trace of high hat are occasionally and lightly (and I mean LIGHTLY; nothing like Claus Ogerman's occasionally schmaltzy orchestra on "Wave") accented by an orchestra. Jobim's piano playing takes on a more accenting role: it makes points, rather than epounding on them. And then there is Elis. She could be the Brasilian Ella Fitzgerald. She laughs and growls in "Aguas de Marco", but overall she isn't as heavy, and is more subtle than Ella.

I love Jobim's music as instrumentals, and think that vocalisation often renders it musak-y or schmaltzy, but not in this case. Nothing could be further than the point.

Without a doubt, this is one of (if not THE) best bossa nova album I own. And I own close to 50. Regina's voice isn't in the vintage "bossa nova style," meaning she makes greater use of dynamics and melodrama than her predecessors, but the added passion works. "So Tinha de Ser Com Voce" is probably my favorite; it's the bliss and longing of being in love encapsulated in Regina's voice. The orchestral ballads are also incredibly beautiful, among the only bossa recordings that have made me want to cry. "Modinha," "Retrato em Branco e Preto," and "O Que Tinha de Ser," along with THE definitive recording of "Corcovado," are timeless classics that speak to the soul. Regardless of your preferences, if you like sensual, sublime, aching music, this is the album.

There are 3 master albums of Bossa Nova vocals: the Sinatra/Jobim album on Warner sung in English, this Elis Regina/Tom Jobim album sung in Portuguese and "Amoroso", the Joao Gilberto/Claus Ogerman collaboration, sung in Portuguese, English, Italian, Spanish! Don't miss the chance to have all three. Elis Regina is here in a 1974 album she had the opportunity to record as a celebration of her 10-year career at Polygram Records/Brazil. The gift was a collaboration with Antonio Carlos Jobim, composer of all repertoire. The album consists of 2 different ensembles: one set by Jobim's traditional environment with strings and another set with her then-current quartet, having her then-husband as a leader, Mr. Cesar Camargo Mariano. All stars! Important Note: Bossa Nova is not necessarily Jazz. Bossa Nova is not even Latin music. Bossa Nova is ... Bossa Nova. Listen to it!

This is a special disc. When Elis sings Jobim it's the supreme pleasure. For those who like Brazilian music this disc is essencial. Elis gives her best interpretation ever. She exceeds the expectations. Her way of singing "Águas de março" is the ultimate gift for our soul. It's difficult to choose the best music because all of them are "the best". But "Retrato em branco e preto" is unbelievable. The "Maestro" plays the piano and both - Elis and Jobim - deliver the most beautiful music ever. If one wants to have one disc of Brazilian music, this is the one. Attention to "Brigas, nunca mais" - Elis is pure rhythm. The booklet brings the lyrics in English and Portuguese, and you can see many pictures taken during the recording. It's worth and it's a great present to someone you love.