Marcos Valle - The Essential (2003)

The first volume in Mr. Bongo's two-part The Essential Marcos Valle chooses well, picking a raft of classic early-'70s tracks like "Mentira," "Proton Eletron Neutron," and "Nao Tem Nada Nao," plus light ballad material like "Viagem" and "Ele e Ela." Valle records of the period like Garra and Previsão do Tempo blended perfectly an earthy groove and easy listening smoothness with silken harmonies and crystal-clear production, and The Essential Marcos Valle nailed it very well. Later compilations, however, including Preferencia Nacional and Café Après-Midi, offered much better sound. © John Bush