Bossa Nova Bacchanal is an album by American saxophonist Charlie Rouse recorded in 1962 and released in 1963 on the Blue Note label.[1] It was the only album Rouse recorded as a leader for Blue Note. The CD reissue includes a bonus track recorded in 1965.[2]
The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars and stated "Rouse's embrace of bossa nova, as well as other Latin and Caribbean music, is firmly rooted in jazz -- and not American jazz trying to be Brazilian. Rhythmically, Rouse, who is a hard bopper if there ever was one, takes the rhythmic and harmonic concepts of the samba, marries them to Afro-Caribbean folk styles, and burns it all through with the gloriously unapologetic swing of jazz... Ultimately, this is one of Rouse's finest moments as a leader".[3]
The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote: "If you know Charlie Rouse only as a Monk sideman, or from the tribute group Sphere, this will be a pleasant revelation."[4]
Marc Davis of All About Jazz exclaimed: "What a happy record! And what a delightful change from the usual 1960s Blue Note formula." He concluded: "for any fan of happy, infectious, Latin-tinged jazz, Bossa Nova Bacchanal is a must have."[5]AAJ's Joshua Weiner called the recording "a fine album," and noted that "the selection of tunes is perfect."[6]
