Wave  by Antonio Carlos Jobim

Wave (1967) is considered one of the cornerstones of bossa nova and Antonio Carlos Jobim's most commercially successful album in the U.S. Wave was the fifth studio album by the great Brazilian composer.

The album combines Brazilian samba rhythms with the complexity of jazz harmonies. Its style is "cool," relaxed, and atmospheric, characterized by Claus Ogerman's rich orchestral arrangements. The tracks are mainly instrumental, with the exception of Lamento, where Jobim’s vocals can be heard. The album was recorded at the famous Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey between May and June of 1967. Sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder achieved a crystal-clear and warm sound that highlighted the details of the strings and brass, while a significant role in the creation of the sound was played by the string orchestra, which included a large group of violinists and cellists under Ogerman's direction. The album was produced by Creed Taylor, who was responsible for the worldwide spread of bossa nova. The cover with the red/green sunburnt photo of a giraffe by Pete Turner remains as iconic as the music of the album.

In the U.S., the album managed to penetrate the main Billboard charts. It reached No.5 on the Jazz Albums chart, confirming Jobim's enormous impact on the American jazz scene and on the Top-200 chart, it reached up to No.114.