Antonio Carlos Jobim & Friends

This assortment of Antonio Carlos Jobim basics is a virtual encyclopedia of bossa nova hits: there's "The Girl From Ipanema," of course, but also a seductive version of "Corcovado" by Sylvia Telles, a live take on "A Felicidade" by João Gilberto, and the definitive "Águas de Março" performed by Jobim and Elis Regina.

Jobim is known mostly for his amazing songwriting, but he was also a prolific composer of moody instrumentals that betray his love for Brazilian samba and classical composers such as Ravel and Debussy. The wistful "Tarde Em Itapoã" illustrates Vinicius de Moraes' talent for capturing the elusive lyricism of everyday life.

The exquisite version of "Samba do Avião" included here is performed by Japanese pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto (a longtime bossa fan) together with former Jobim collaborators Jaques and Paula Morelenbaum. Recording as a solo artist, Paula mixes bossa with electronica on her cool adaptation of "Tomara," by Vinicius de Moraes.

Together with the sensitive poetry of lyricist Vinicius de Moraes and the jazzy harmonies of guitarist João Gilberto, pianist, composer, and sometime vocalist Antonio Carlos Jobim pioneered bossa nova — one of Latin America's biggest contributions to global happiness. This list of endearing bossa classics includes Jobim himself, as well as many of his best friends and collaborators: American saxophonist Stan Getz, wispy-voiced Astrud Gilberto (wife of João), and the late divas Sylvia Telles and Elis Regina.