Verve Records has been releasing their reasonably priced Pure Bossa Nova series through the years, but the 50th anniversary of the bossa nova style in 2008 saw the reissue of many of the compilations, as well as some new entries.

This collection showcases the compositional talents of Roberto Menescal, one of the earliest writers to embrace the bossa nova style. It features classic recordings by Menescal himself, as well as covers of his material by celebrated artists like the Tamba Trio and Sylvia Telles. Elis Regina's sassy take on "O Barquinho" is the highlight of any collection.

Roberto Menescal was not only a respected and widely interpreted songwriter but a seminal guitarist, and the Pure Bossa Nova collection summarizes both rather neatly (though briefly). Roughly half of the 14-track collection features instrumentals by Menescal's group, which often included Lu¡s Carlos Vinhas, Joao M rio, Henrique, and Bebeto. The rest are vocal versions of Menescal songs by Elis Regina, Sylvia Telles, L£cio Alves, and others. ~ John Bush