The Brazilian vocal quartet Os Cariocas were influenced by the same early-1960s harmony groups, such as the Lettermen and the Four Freshmen, that influenced the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. The group combined their resulting impeccable vocals with bossa nova to uniquely commercial effect in the 1960s and '70s, as evidenced by this best-of, which features their versions of such classics as "Garota De Ipanema," "Desafinado," and "Samba Da Pergunta."

Os Cariocas only recorded bossa nova after their second decade of recording, but it's what they're best known for, especially outside of Brazil. Despite sounding like a cool vocal group (… la Swingle Singers or others), the group helped the vanguard of early bossa nova composers, performing Jobim songs as early as 1954. This 14-track collection, rather brief at 35 minutes, includes recordings they made for the Verve/Universal family of labels during the early to mid-'60s. Not all of their best repertoire is owned by the Universal catalog -- both "Chega de Saudade" and "Corcovado" would have been good additions -- but what is here is quite good: "Ela ‚ Carioca," "Samba de uma Nota S¢," and "Garota de Ipanema." ~ John Bush