Expectations run high when a successful producer resigns his post to join a rival company. Things were no different in the case of Creed Taylor who left Verve for A&M, taking along the bossa guru Jobim with him. This liaison resulted in the album “Wave”, which Latin specialists regard as one of the most artistic ever, perhaps because Jobim rides the gentlest of waves in this particular recording. While the large instrumental ensemble might lead one to suspect that sensationalism was the aim here, listening to the music proves that Jobim has remained true to his clear melodies and his simple, sensitive style. A relaxed carpet of sound is rolled out which enhances and refines the essence of Jobim’s musical roots, turning them into miniature tone poems.
For this recording only the best of the best was good enough, as can be seen from the names of participating soloists on the sidelines such as Jimmy Cleveland and Urbie Green (trombone), and Ron Carter (bass) who created a sensation together with Miles Davis in the early 60s. Once again – as so often during that era – the excellent sound is all thanks to the recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder.

Recording: May and June 1967 at Van Gelder’s Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. by Rudy Van Gelder / Production: Creed Taylor