With her distinctive, raspy voice, Brazilian Samba singer Elza Soares (age 82 at this writing) is one of the most swinging performers of the genre. From 1959, when she issued her debut single, "Se Acaso Você Chegasse" (on which she introduced scat singing à la Louis Armstrong to the world of samba), she became a successful recording artist.

Presented here are her two first LPs in their entireties, "Se Acasso Você Chegasse" (Odeon MOFB 3.166) and "A Bossa Negra" (Odeon MOFB 3.198), both of which are considered treasures of Brazilian music at home and abroad.

Also included are eight bonus tracks from the same period, among them "Mack the Knife", on which she pays tribute to Louis Armstrong, one of her obvious inspirations.

ELZA SOARES, vocals; OSWALDO BORBA & His Orchestra, Arranged by Astor Silva and recorded at Odeon Studios, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1959-60.

BONUS ALBUM (13-24): A Bossa Negra, ELZA SOARES, vocals ASTOR SILVA & His Orchestra, recorded at Odeon Studios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 4-7, 1961.