Taped at Rudy Van Gelder's studios in 1967, and produced by that prolific jazz hitmaker Creed ‘CTI’ Taylor, Wave has now become something of a bossa touchstone, along with the Getz/Gilberto album of 1964. Lush, romantic, sunny, laid back, contemplative, shimmering, gorgeous… all adjectives to describe this landmark record; in less skilful hands than Jobim and Taylor's, it could so easily have tipped into an easy listening haze, but Wave remains, half a century on, a compelling record (especially during the current lockdown, when its slow-shifting, luminous textures promise freedom, sunshine and ease).

This is due in part to the quality of the tunes, which of course remain stellar: it is with good reason that the title track and ‘Triste’ have become immortal standards – Jobim is a first-rate composer and this may well be his definitive statement. But credit also must go to Van Gelder's typically exacting sound engineering, and the superb arrangements of Claus Ogerman, who also conducts the large ensemble of star sidemen with the required light touch.

This fine-sounding vinyl reissue, on the consistently excellent Elemental imprint, reproduces the original 1967 A&M record almost exactly – including the famous gatefold sleeve. This also means that the original's brief running time (barely half an hour) remains too, but perhaps we shouldn't complain – not only is there a delightful conceptual unity and internal musical logic to this LP, which would be broken with the addition of bonus cuts or outtakes – but Wave is also that most precious of things, an exquisite, fleeting pleasure; but one that, thanks to the marvels of magnetic tape, we can enjoy again and again.