Released 60 years ago
A Certain Smile, a Certain Sadness
Astrud Gilberto · 1966
35 min · 13 tracks · jazz
Breezy bossa nova rhythms intertwine with wistful melodies, creating an atmosphere of longing and nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
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A Certain Smile — This title track encapsulates the album's essence, showcasing Gilberto's soft vocals against a lush arrangement that perfectly balances melancholy and warmth.
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So Nice (Summer Samba) — With its infectious melody and gentle groove, this song highlights the playful side of bossa nova while illustrating Gilberto's distinctive vocal style.
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Goodbye Sadness (Tristeza) — This track captures a poignant emotional depth through its lyrical theme of letting go, complemented by a rich instrumental backdrop that enhances its bittersweet message.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends bossa nova rhythms with wistful melodies, showcasing Gilberto's vocal charm.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of soft, syncopated bossa nova rhythms across nearly all tracks, creating a laid-back atmosphere.
- Vocals are present in most tracks, with Gilberto's voice often layered over gentle guitar and light percussion arrangements.
- Several tracks incorporate instrumental interludes that allow the music to breathe, contrasting with the vocal sections.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gentle melodies for rainy days
- nostalgic reflections on love
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- melancholic tunes with warm rhythms
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy experiences
- prefer longer, expansive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1966, A Certain Smile, a Certain Sadness was Astrud Gilberto's second studio album, following her acclaimed debut with Getz/Gilberto. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in bossa nova, blending traditional Brazilian sounds with jazz influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- João Gilberto· Caetano Veloso· Gal Costa
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Certain Smile 1:29
- 2 A Certain Sadness 3:10
- 3 Nega do cabelo duro 2:21
- 4 So Nice (Summer Samba) 2:43
- 5 Você ja foi Bahia 2:17
- 6 Portuguese Washerwoman 1:33
- 7 Goodbye Sadness (Tristeza) 3:35
- 8 Call Me 3:22
- 9 Here's That Rainy Day 2:45
- 10 Tu mi delirio 3:40
- 11 It's a Lovely Day Today 2:50
- 12 The Sadness of After 2:31
- 13 Who Needs Forever? 2:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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