Taking its name and its lead from Antonio Carlos Jobim's celebrated hit, "The Girl From Ipanema", this double compilation album represents an aural history of the pulsating bossa nova. Indeed, Jobim's compositions run as a thread through the rich tapestry of Latin jazz hits. Amongst others the subtle maraca strains of "Desafinado" performed by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd appear alongside the seductive vocals of Astrud Gilberto on "Agua de Beber". Novel renditions from George Benson and Quincy Jones twinkle, as does the impudent expression of Luis Henrique's "If You Want To Be a Lover". A standard representation of this most established of Brazilian forms, the vibrant flavour of The Girls From Ipanema will satisfy both the connoisseur and the uninitiated alike. --George Lees

Tracklist:

Disc: 1
1. Girl from Ipanema - Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto
2. Tristeza - Baden Powell
3. Samba de Orfeu - Bob Brookmeyer
4. Minha Lagoa - Luiz Henrique
5. Samba Dees Days - Charlie Byrd, Stan Getz
6. How Insensitive - Wes Montgomery
7. Agua de Beber - Astrud Gilberto
8. Bossa Nova U.S.A. - Quincy Jones
9. Shadow of Your Smile - Astrud Gilberto
10. Canto de Ossanha - Baden Powell
11. So Danco Samba - Charlie Byrd, Stan Getz
12. Nunca Me Deixes - Billy Butterfield, Bobby Hackett
13. Felicidade - Bob Brookmeyer
14. O Pato [The Duck] - Charlie Byrd, Stan Getz
15. Souled Out - Cal Tjader
16. Samba da Minha Terra - Joao Gilberto

Disc: 2
1. Desafinado - Charlie Byrd, Stan Getz
2. Manha de Carnaval - Baden Powell
3. Carnival Joys - George Benson
4. E Luxo So - Charlie Byrd, Stan Getz
5. If You Want to Be a Lover - Luiz Henrique
6. Triste - Oscar Peterson
7. Soul Bossa Nova - Quincy Jones
8. O Grande Amor - Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto
9. Crickets Sing for Anamaria - Marcos Valle
10. Domingo a Noite - Luiz Bonfa
11. Cal's Bluedo - Cal Tjader
12. Once I Loved - Astrud Gilberto
13. Kee-Ka-Roo - Luiz Henrique, Walter Wanderley
14. Favela - Antonio Carlos Jobim
15. Big Bossa - Toots Thielemans