Search - Walter Wanderley :: Samba Swing

So nice, so swingin', so sixties...

03/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Walter Wanderley's trademark brand of Brazilian organ-jazz is positively infectious! With the possible exeption of the Tijuana Brass, it's hard to think of anything that quite epitomizes the non-rock&roll sixties pop experience, yet at the same time these cuts still sound incredibly fresh. Every track bubbles with Walt's slap-happy leslie-speaker organ tone and exhilirating south american grooves. "Samba Swing" presents about fifteen tracks from Walt's first 3 albums on the Verve label, and re-arranges them into a very well paced program. From the laid-back smash hit "so nice" to the upbeat "aqua de bebe", Walt's group covers all the bases, managing to spice things up stylisticly within the parameters of authentic brazilian samba and bossa(listen to the intriguing textures on "checanga"). The core group of organ, bass, drums, and percussion is occasionally augmented by guitar, a small horn section, and on several of the tracks, the unmistakable voice of Astrud Gilberto, who turns in a particulary effective VOCAL version of "So Nice". Over all, if you are a fan of the pop organ, of the Brazilian beat, or sixties "lounge" music, this CD is a must have. Incidently, it is also the best Wanderley compilation available, though the re-issue of his original full length LP "rainforest" is also worth aquiring."

Fun without breaking too much of a sweat

DJ Rix | NJ USA | 12/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sixties Brazillian music cleaned up & turned into remarkably high class lounge jazz. Wanderly rarely displays more than half his skills, but his staccato, vibratoless style suits the music's rhythms. Song selection is first rate, with Astrud Gilberto's guest turns making for nice changes of pace. Like Count Basie's piano playing, Wanderly's organ implies as much as it actually reveals. The great melodies stick & the band always sounds like it's having fun without breaking too much of a sweat.

Bob Rixon, WFMU"

When "elevator music" was still cool.

DJ Rix | 05/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Walter Wanderly raised to Hammond B-3 Organ to an exotic, brazilian jazz art form long before it became accepted as the standard "elevator music". If you ever wondered how Muzak could ever become popular in the first place, this should answer your questions. The lilting bossa nova beat which ties all of his music together anchor his driving organ style, which blends the sweetness of a cool summer breeze with the punch of a cold winter's day. Walter was hugely popular in Brazil before he took his first american album platinum in the mid-sixties. Sadly, when Walter found the perfect home for the brazilian samba and bossa nova on the B-3 organ, he also spawned generations of imitators who were picked up on the Muzak network and which have so diluted the idiom that Walter does not get nearly the appreation that he deserves.Get the album, you won't be disappointed."