Bossa Nova 2001

AMG Review of Bossa Nova 2001

Ted Mills
All Music Guide

Bossanova 2001 would turn out to be Keitaro Takanami's swan song with the Pizzicato Five and, as such, it's a beautiful testament to his songwriting skills. (But, like Paul McCartney after the Beatles, his solo material just hasn't been as good.) Calling on Keigo Oyamada (aka Cornelius) to produce, the album is less about the bossa nova of the title and more a trip through every late-'60s record in Yasuharu Konishi's voluminous collection. "Sweet Soul Review" is "Sweet Soul Music" updated, "Magic Carpet Ride" is 1967-era psychedelia, "Hallelujah Hare Krishna" is a funked-up Traffic pastiche. It's the Takanami songs that hook the most, too -- "Peace Music" and "Eclipse" are some of the finest from his time in the band. Top-notch production, as well, make this one of most satisfying of all their releases.