Harry Allen: Eu Nao Quero Dancar (I Won't Dance)

Originally recorded for BMG Japan at the end of 1997, Eu Nao Quero Dancar (I Won't Dance) features 12 bossa performances, such as the familiar "O Pato", "Corcovado", and "Meditation". In addition, there's a few jazz standards, like the title track, that are given the Brazilian treatment and even a classical work by Bach puts on a new face via this tropical affair. Really inspired choices were made when choosing personnel, with Americans Larry Goldings on piano and Dennis Irwin on bass. Plus, guitarist and vocalist Dori Caymmi and Brazilian drum legend Duduka Da Fonseca are part of the line up too.

Not much further elaboration is really needed, as this is music for the heart and maybe a dance step or too. Allen, as previously stated, surely has done his homework in terms of knowing the resonance and melodic ingenuity of Stan Getz. Like his inspiration, Allen has the ability to approach a line with great logic and facility. And like the best of them, he makes it sound so much easier than it really is. For the final icing on the cake, Caymmi and Maucha Adnet add their sensuous Portuguese vocals on a few numbers. So turn down the lights, pour a glass of wine and get ready to bask in the warmth of Allen and company's "universal" sound.