Rosa Passos: Amorosa

Amorosa features new arrangements of songs associated with Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto, two seminal figures in the creation of bossa nova from samba and jazz. But most importantly, it allows Passos to highlight vocal and instrumental skills that exude a cultured yet innocent sensuality. Ms. Passos has chosen wisely in keeping percussionist Cyro Baptista as part of her ensemble. His rhythms, along with work by drummer Paulo Braga, pianist Helio Alves and bassist Paulo Palulelli, set up a delicate backdrop for her perfect guitar and quietly enchanting vocals as she conveys the graceful interplay of emotions that make bossa nova so alluring. Joining the core rhythm section on various cuts is Rodrigo Ursaia, who, like Stan Getz, shows how sax and bossa nova were made for each other. Likewise, clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera artfully blends a touch of swing with these rhythms on the bouncy "O Pato."

It is Passos, however, who through her combination of vocal quality and ideal phrasing, be it on pieces like the smoothly self-composed tribute "Essa E Pr'o Joáo," the quickly moving "Eu Sambo Mesmo," or her lushly romantic rendering of the classic "Besame Mucho" turns this into such an arresting session. Bonuses include a duet with 87-year-old French vocalist Henri Salvador and an appearance by Yo-Yo Ma on Jobim's "Chega De Saudade."

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