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A beautiful collaboration between two of our favorite Brazilian artists ever – the lovely Joyce and bossa piano legend Joao Donato – both of whom have held onto all of their best early charms of their music! The session's definitely got a Joyce flavor upfront, as she's the main vocalist – but Donato's piano is a strong factor too – pulsating wonderfully with those warmly-crafted rhythms he's always done better than anyone else – that unique stop/start groove first forged in the 60s, heard best on his 70s work, and resurrected here to provide a fresh new setting for Joyce! Arrangements are by Donato and Joyce, and by Jesse Sadoc, who plays trumpet in the group – and the production's got a slightly rootsy quality, without any too-slick modes that might hurt the intimacy of a special session like this. Titles include "Amazonas No 2", "Feminina", "Aquarius", "Chama O Donato", "Tardes Caricas", "Caymmi Visita Tom", and "Amor Nas Estrelas".

A massive collection of work from the lovely Wanderlea – all her key albums from the 70s, presented with bonus tracks too – in a box that also contains a full extra CD of rare material as well! Wanderlea's got a style that's maybe a bit more sweet than some of the usual Brazilian singers we stock – not really commercial, at least not from an American 70s pop perspective – but a bit more towards the Brazilian mainstream of the period. Yet there's still a nice edge here – kind of a female pop evolution from the EMI/Odeon style of the start of the decade – with arrangements that still sound refreshing, and songs written by some of the better talents of her generation – including Egberto Gismonti, Gonzaguinha, Caetano Veloso, Joyce, Joao Donato, and Roberto and Erasmo Carlos. The box is a wonderful introduction to her work – and features the full albums Maravilhosa, Feito Gente, Vamos Que Eu Ja Vou, Mais Que A Paixao, and Wanderlea – plus the especially nice Raridades CD – which brings together unusual singles and odd recordings!

The sound of The Beatles, completely re-imagined by a host of hip acts from Brazil – a stunning lineup that includes some under-discovered talents from the younger generation, plus a few key artists from earlier years as well! As you'd guess from the "69" in the title, most of the tracks here are from the final years of the group – a fair bit of material from Abbey Road – opened up and given a whole new sort of energy here – showing the rich inspiration the fab four were still able to provide, even at the end! Beatles music has been a crucial influence on Brazil, from the 60s Jovem Guarda and Tropicalia scenes onward – and the work here really shows the range of influences, extrapolated through really creative instrumentation, vocal arrangements, and production techniques. The whole thing's hardly another "tribute to" session – and instead is more like an extended poem inspired by the work of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Titles on this third volume include "Here Comes The Sun" by Joyce, "Something" by Flavio Venturini & Aggeu Marques, "Polythene Pam" by Autoramas, "The End" by Milton Nascimento, "Mean Mr Mustard" by Joao Donato with Paula Morelenbaum, "Because" by Aretha, "Golden Slumbers" by Elis Regina & Milton Nascimento, "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" by Pouca Vogal, and "Her Majesty" by Silvia Machete.

Not the full story of Bossa Nova (for that, we might suggest the Trip To Brazil CD) – but a good compilation of rare tracks from the EMI/Odeon catalog, home to some of the best work ever recorded in Brazil! The set's got more than a few hits, but it also features a number of tunes that we've not had easy luck finding on CD – and at this price, the 20-track set's a great little set of bossa tunes whatever way you slice it! Titles include "Voce" by Milton Banana, "Samba De Verao" by Marcos Valle, "Corcovado" by Joyce with Gilson Peranzzetta, "Fotografia" by Sylvia Telles, "Copacabana" by Nana Caymmi, "Se Todas Fossem Iguais A Voce" by Lucio Alves, "O Barquinho" by Pery Riberio, "A Ra" by Joao Donato, "Vivo Sonhando" by Marcos Valle, "Ao Amigo Tom" by Doris Monteiro, "Meditacao" by Luiz Eca & Astor, "Amor Em Paz" by Dick Farney & Claudette Soares, "Samba De Uma Nota So" by Walter Wanderley, "Chega De Saudade" by Lelia Pinheiro, and "A Felicidade" by Agostinho Dos Santos.

Wonderful live work from Joyce – a singer we love in any sort of setting, but one who really seems to open up nicely in front of an audience! The approach here is very much in classic Joyce mode – very intimate and personal, with instrumentation that just includes Joyce on guitar, Tutty Moreno on drums, plus a bit of bass and added guitar – all served up in a warmly jazzy style that fits beautifully with Joyce's legendary vocals. Most tunes have a breezy sort of feel, even when mellow – and the album features guest appearances by Joao Donato, Dori Caymmi, Leila Pinheiro, and Monica Salmaso – who all join Joyce here in a celebration of her 40 years in music. Titles include "Samba De Mulher", "E Era Copacabana", "Misterios", "Clareana", "E Passa O Carrossel", "Samba Da Zona", "Monsieur Binot", "Feminina", "Havana Me", and "Revendo Amigos".