Antonio Carlos Jobim - Passarim (LP)

All Music Guide

Passarim is Jobim's major statement of the '80s, emerging during a time when Jobim's concerns were turning increasingly toward Planet Earth issues. The title song is one of Jobim's most haunting creations, a cry of pain about the the destruction of the Brazilian rainforest that resonates in the memory for hours. Also, by this time Jobim had resumed touring with a large group containing friends and family, and they carry a great deal of the load here, with lots of airy female backup vocals, two worthy songs by Jobim's multitalented son Paulo and another by flutist/singer Danilo Caymmi. Recorded entirely in Rio, the record's overall sound is very different from Jobim's '60s and '70s work denser, hazier, still grounded in the samba yet rougher in texture (as is Jobim's voice). Though not as immediately winning as the Creed Taylorproduced albums, this music repays repeated listening particularly the extended suite from Jobim's score for the film Gabriela and there are samples of Jobim's... wry humor in "Chansong" and the bossa nova reworking of "Fascinatin' Rhythm" Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide Read more Less