An overlooked gem from Chico's mid 80s period – a record filled with strong and subtle songs, often backed by some nicely jazz-tinged arrangements from Cristovao Bastos! The album's not as revolutionary as some of Chico's earlier records, but it more than makes up for that with an incredibly solid quality overall – and a mature, sophisticated approach to songwriting that easily matches some of Caetano Veloso's best work of the same time. Titles include "Pleas Tabelas", "Samba Do Grande Amor", "Mil Perdoes", "Vai Passar", "As Cartas", and "Suburbano Coracao". LP, Vinyl record album

The soundtrack for the film version of Chico Buarque's famous opera Malandro – and quite possibly the best recording of the music we've heard! The style here really benefits from the tighter studio production of the film – and the tunes are put together with strong arrangements that have a bit more force than some of the live recordings of the music we've heard, but in a way that still also allows for plenty of up-close intimacy in the vocals. All performances here are great, and really bring a lot out of the tunes – and Gal Costa sings "O Ultimo Blues", Paulinho Da Viola sings "Aquela Mulher", Zizi Possi sings "Sentimental", Bebel Gilberto sings "Rio 42", Elba Ramhalo sings "Palavra De Mulher", Os Muchachos sing "Tango Do Covil", Ney Matogrosso sings "Las Muchachos De Copacabana", and Chico Buarque sings "A Volta Do Malandro". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the grooviest Brazilian albums you could ever hope to buy – and one that's not even from Brazil, either! This little gem was recorded in France in the early 70s – but it's got a swinging groove that's very similar to the work of Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 during the 60s – upbeat, bossa-inflected, and with a strong undercurrent of jazz! Mesquita's group is a lot like Sergio's – right down to its mix of two vocalists on the lyrics – but there's a few important differences: this group's got one male and one female singer, a lot more percussion than Sergio ever used, and an overall sound that's less pop-oriented, and much harder overall! The whole album's great – tight, driving, and lively, with some incredible production – and titles include "Balanca Pema", "Dabadeia", "Aguas De Marco", "Fechado Pra Balanco", "Zanzibar", and "O Gato". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautifully moody record, recorded by Baden Powell in France – with a group that includes Nelson Serra De Castro on drums, Silvio Silveira and Luiz Agudo on Brazilian percussion, and Jeanine De Waleyne on vocals. The tracks are mostly dark and offbeat, with lots of off-kilter jazzy changes by Baden on guitar – and some tracks have a bit more baroque arrangements, especially the ones with Jeanine on vocals. Titles include "Carinhoso", "Violao Vadio", "Bom De Dedo", "Naquele Tempo", and the groovy percussive track "1x0". LP, Vinyl record album

Great European work by Baden Powell – recorded with a quartet at the core, plus some larger arrangements by Jean-Michel Defaye that include French jazz musicians, like Lou Game on flute and Pierre Gossez on tenor. Most tracks have a nice little groove and a more complicated approach than Baden's Brazilian 60s recordings – kind of like the best of the MPS records, and like those, with some occasional vocals that sound very nice! Titles include "Batuque No B", "Pra Que Chorar", "Refem De Solidao", "Rapaz De Bem", and "Atirei O Pau No Gato". LP, Vinyl record album

Moody guitar work by the great Baden Powell – caught live before a very appreciative audience in Paris, which was his stomping ground at the time. A few tracks are a bit quiet and introspective, but there's also some very nice bossa-inflected work, in Baden's classic style from the 60s. Titles include "Samba Triste", "Consolacao", "Garota De Ipanema", "Marcha Escocesa", and "Berimbau". LP, Vinyl record album

Soaring, spacious work from Milton Nascimento – an album done with musical backings from frequent partner Wagner Tiso, and songwriting help from Fernando Brant – all in the best sophisticated mode of their Minas Geraes generation! The sound is occasionally a bit more mellow than some of Nascimento's other albums – but that also enforces the depth and ambition of the compositions too – as there's a quality here that's extremely thoughtful, and almost visionary – Milton pausing a bit to look towards new horizons, then reaching out beautifully with his soulful vocals. Other guests include Flavio Venturini and Ney Matogrosso – and titles include "Amor Amigo", "De Magia De Danca E Pes", "Noticias Do Brasil", "Vida", "Cacador De Mim", "Sonho De Moco", and "Nos Bailes Da Vida". LP, Vinyl record album