Two sides of a single released in Brazil in 1953 by Johnny Alf set the stage for the bossa nova four years later. For those sides, Alf assembled a trio that featured him on piano, guitarist Garoto and bassist Vidal. The instrumentals were Alf's own Falseta (or Deceit) and Luiz Bonfa's De Cigarro em Cigarro (or From Cigarette to Cigarette). The recordings weren't hits, by any measure, but they would be celebrated later as the start of the bossa movement's relaxed and romantic sound.
Here's De Cigarro em Cigarro followed by Falseta
Today, I offer you a Backgrounder treat: Alf's rare Ele é Johnny Alf, released in 1971. Here's the terrific album without the interruption of ads:
Here's De Cigarro em Cigarro followed by Falseta
Today, I offer you a Backgrounder treat: Alf's rare Ele é Johnny Alf, released in 1971. Here's the terrific album without the interruption of ads:
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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