Among top of the best album by the Queen of Bossa higlithing her fabulous vocal skills, just recorded before her European tour. Conducted & arranged by pianist Erlon Chaves, "Elis Especial" offers a sublte blend of various Latin rhytms including rumba, samba, bossa nova, and a nice "spy jazz" touch reinforced by the strings ensemble. Elis perfoms songs of renowned Brazilian composers from Antônio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell, and Edu Lobo to Chico Buarque, Roberto Menescal and Gilberto Gil. Titles include "Samba Do Perdão", a tribute to Jobim, the classic "Viramundo" of Gilberto Gil, two Elis' standards regularly performed in concert ("Corrida De Jangada", "Upa, Neguinho"), and another tribute to the Rio de Janeiro's district, the favela "Mangueira".
