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Four of the greatest ladies on Bossa!

1. 'Bossa, Balanço, Balada' (1963) Sylvia Telles was already a respected and renowned singer, with some years of activity before Bossa Nova came around the Brazilian music scene. In 1959, amazed by that cool and innovative new style of playing Samba, she had the idea of working on an album entirely dedicated to the compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim. It was on this album, recorded by the Elenco label that she had proved she has got everything to be the greatest singer of Bossa. Tragically just after three years of the release of this masterpiece she had died in a car accident, putting an abrupt end to a brilliant and promising career.



2. 'Vagamente' (1964) Album-icon of the second phase of Bossa Nova, this is the debut of the 20 year old young Wanda Sa, produced by the great guitarist Roberto Menescal. This work got together young and talented compositors like Marcos Valle, players like Eumir Deodato and Sergio Mendes, and the young performer singing in a modern jazz vibe, with a husky and soft voice.



3. 'Nara' (1964) Nara Leao was so intimate of Bossa Nova that at the same time she made her debut on the movement she despised it for being a thing of the upper-class. She introduced in this album modern arrangements and sang compositions of artists from humbler origins than her like Ze Keti and Paulinho Da Viola (a.k.a the lord of the Samba).



4. 'Joyce' (1968) The debut album of one of the few female composers of Bossa Nova gave her national and international recognition. She brings an interesting influence of Chorinho (one of the first forms of samba) to Joyce's happy, and fresh Bossa. Joyce is frequently regarded as one of the most skillful guitarists of Brazil.