Só danço samba

As an entryway into Stan Getz's mid-'60s bossa nova output, this is neither as comprehensive as the four-CD set The Bossa Nova Years, nor as satisfying as the original albums in terms of sequencing and mood. It is, however, acceptable as a sampler to the newcomer, who in any event can re-program the order by grouping together the tracks from each session. All of the five albums contained in the box set are touched upon here, along with one that wasn't, Sweet Rain, which yields an impassioned "O Grande Amor" with Chick Corea on piano. In regard to the two best-known tunes from Getz's bossa nova days, "Desafinado" and "The Girl from Ipanema," Verve chooses to go with alternate versions rather than reissue the hit versions for the 437th time -- which is good. ~ Richard S. Ginell