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A really lovely performance from Olivia and Francis Hime – and one of the most intimate we've ever heard from the pair, too! Olivia sings with just piano accompaniment from Francis – in a way that still has all the majesty of the latter's full arrangements, yet which comes across in this subtle, spare way that's mighty nice – especially when Francis joins Olivia a bit on vocals, too! The format really allows a strong showcase of the maturing talents of both artists – the kind of masterful performance we might have heard from MPB legends a few decades back – on titles that include "Canta Maria", "Minas Geraes", "Saudade De Amar", "Versos Soltos No Mar", "Cancao De Pedroca", "Eu Nao Existo Sem Voce", "Trocando Em Miudos", and "Risque". DVD features bonus tracks and "making of" material too!

An incredible live album from Chico Buarque – one that really grabs us right from the start, and holds us rapt in ways that go far beyond the boundaries of language! Chico's recent albums have all been pretty darn great, but there's really something special to this set – a perfect blend of larger arrangements and the spontaneous setting of a live performance – as Buarque's lead vocals and guitar come into play with some larger orchestrations from Luiz Claudio Ramos – nice and lean, but full of power – and giving Chico some of the best backdrops he's had in years! The record has a sophisticated emotive power – one that's very subtle, and which recalls the careful balance of modes used during the bossa years – even though the record itself is quite a different thing than bossa. Key proof that Buarque's many years in music have continued to be pretty darn great – with titles that include "Sinha", "Futuros Amantes", "Na Carreira", "De Volta Ao Samba", "Rubato", "Querido Diario", "Valsa Brasileira", "Sou Eu", "Geni E O Zepelim", "Baioque", and "Ana De Amsterdam". DVD features a bonus "making of" feature too!

An historic 35th Anniversary show from Maria Bethania – recorded wonderfully, with some really sensitive musical backdrops that perfectly follow the rich mood of the set! The presentation is very personal – as Maria's a bit reflective about her years in music – and the undercurrent of sentimentality brings a warmth to the record that you don't always find from Bethania – even as great as her other albums can be! Arrangements are by Jaime Alem, who also directed the group – and the set also features guest appearances by Ana Carolina, Chico Buarque, Renato Teixeira, Moreno Veloso, Edu Lobo, Dori Caymmi, and Nana Caymmi! Titles include "Noite De Estrelas", "Sem Fantasia", "A Moca Do Sonho", "Alegria", "Maricotinha", "As Cancoes Que Voce Fez Para Mim", and "Juntar O Que Sentir". DVD features 31 tracks in all – double the CD – with subtitles in Portuguese, English, and Spanish – and bonus features too!

Maybe the best work we've heard from Gilberto Gil in years – a really beautiful live performance that mixes his acoustic guitar and vocals with a special string section and some tight live rhythm work as well! The blend of simple and majestic is really wonderful – a performance that's got all the earnest, honest qualities of some of Gilberto's solo sets – yet one that also has an added dimension that really enriches the sound, too – a blend that's quite different than an "with strings" session, and which is more like having someone underscore all the best elements in Gil's core performance upfront – in this case the great Jacques Morelenbaum, a master of subtle feeling and understatement. The set includes some great classics from Gilberto's late 60s/early 70s years – and titles include "Quatra Coisas", "Quanta", "Futurivel", "Eu Descobri", "Saudade Da Bahia", "Domingo No Parque", "Eu Vim Da Bahia", "Panis Et Circensis", "Oriente", "Um Abraco No Joao", and "Tres Palabras".

Beautiful reed work from Mauro Senise – spun out over some really creative arrangements that have him sounding even more fluid and expansive than ever – and recorded with help from great guests who include Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti, Wagner Tiso, Edu Lobo, and Gilson Peranzzetta! Given that Mauro's helped out most of these artists over the years, the sense of collaboration here is really warm and rich – that great Brazilian instrumental way of sounding expressive, yet never in an overly-emotive or cloying sort of way – easily moving through some classic references, but always with a sense of fresh discovery too. Titles include "Choro Bandido", "Ondine", "Choro Sim Porque Nao", "Tie Sangue", "Bodas De Prata", and "Mauro E Ana". DVD features one more track than the CD, too!