Personnel: Joao Gilberto, Luiz Bonf , Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, The Marty Paich Orchestra.

It is not an overstatement to call Antonio Carlos Jobim one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. His mixture of jazz, samba, folk, and classical shadings, into a form later dubbed bossa nova, would reverberate well beyond his native Brazil and make an impact on most popular genres. In addition to his intriguing stylistic blend, rhythmic sophistication, and dynamic intensity (he sang and played piano and guitar very softly, but with great passion), Jobim was a master songwriter, crafting melodies so sweet and memorable that they have become a permanent part of the Americas' songbook.

Naturally, a 12-track album is going to leave out a lot of important material, but every track here is a classic. Jobim's "The Girl from Ipanema," which broke the bossa nova craze in the States, features saxophonist Stan Getz, vocalist/guitarist Joao Gilberto and his wife, vocalist Astrud Gilberto. There's also the lilting "Desafinado," the mesmerizing "Samba de Uma Nota So (One Note Samba), "Wave" (with beautiful arrangements by Claus Ogerman), and "Passarim" (a tune from 1987 that, remarkably, holds up to Jobim's '60s work). The disc is an excellent starting point for exploring the work of this innovative songwriter and performer.