With Bob Magnusson on bass and Milt Holland on percussion. (Jazz, Brazil) LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

With Joe Byrd and Bob Magnusson on bass, and Jeff Hamilton and Chuck Redd on drums. (Jazz, Brazil) LP, Vinyl record album

Carlos Barbosa-Lima on acoustic guitar, Sharon O'Connor on cello, Roxann Jacobson on viola, and Nathan Rubin and Sharon Lyons Calonico in violin. (Jazz, Brazil) CD

A well-recorded album of solo guitar – one side with music by Luiz Bonfa, the other featuring Cole Porter tunes! (Jazz, Brazil) LP, Vinyl record album

Joanne Brackeen on piano, Eddie Gomez on bass, Duduka Da Fonseca on drums, and Waltinho Anastacio on percussion. (Jazz, Brazil) CD

Great stuff! Tania Maria's first few years recording in the US were some of her best – and this excellent groover on Picante features some very tight Brazilian jazz tracks, cut with a small combo of west coasters, and produced by Cal Tjader with a smooth jazzy vibe. The overall sound is nicely stripped-down, and the main focus is on Tania's soulful voice and piano. Titles include "Lemon Cuica", "Chiclete Com Banana", "Yatra Ta", "Comecar De Novo", and "Super Happy". LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful work from Tania Maria – a singer who's completely back on track these days, and really making classic work again! The format here is simple, and a return to the basics of Tania's early days – keyboards, bass, and percussion mostly in the backings, with Tania singing in that loving lyrical voice that no other singer has ever been able to match (despite legions of countless imitators!) The tunes include a lot of original numbers – really well crafted Brazilian jazz tracks that have a sound that's both light and soulful at the same time – and titles include "Sangria", "Amei Demais", "It's Only Love", "Encanto Meu", "Sebastina", "Ta Tudo Certo", and "Florzinha". CD

A new record by the legendary Sergio Mendes – bursting into the 21st century on a catchy wave of Will I Am production – reworking gems from the Brazilian songbook and more with guest appearances by Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, India Arie, Black Thought, Chali 2Na, Marcelo D2, John Legend and others! Will I Am has been annoying hip hop purists for years thanks to the relentless candy-coated pop gloss of recent Black Eyed Peas records – but he brings an intelligent, reverent and educated approach to the Brazilian keys legend Sergio Mendes – whose familiar grooves are a lovely accomplice to the sparkling hip hop/pop background. The guest stars seem to be here out of genuine love of the music – and provide far more graceful appearances than we would have expected! A very sweet surprise with bright, warm, and lovely moments – almost good enough for us to forgive Will I Am for "My Humps"! Tracks include "Mas Que Nada" feat Black Eyed Peas, "Berimbau/Consolacao" feat Stevie Wonder & Gracinha Leporace, "That Heat" feat Erykah Badu & Will I Am, "Let Me" feat Jill Scott & Will I Am, "Please Baby Don't" feat John Legend, "Samba Da Bencao" feat Marcelo D2, "Yes, Yes, Y'All" feat Black Thought, Chali 2Na & others and much more! CD

A great later album by Jobim – one that has him working with "the new band", which includes younger talents like Danilo Caymmi on flute and vocals, Sebastiao Neto on bass, Jacques Morelen baum on cello, and Paulo Jobim on guitar and vocals. Jobim's voice is wonderfully aged and booze-soaked – a perfect vehicle for the darkly jazzy approach of the material. Arrangements are somewhat lighter than his late 70s work, which is a good thing – as it lifts the spirits of the tracks strongly, creating the perfect mix of joy and sadness that characterized his best bossa work. Tracks include "Chansong", "Brasil Nativo", "Bebel", "Gabriela", and the goofy "Samba do Soho". "Chansong" includes the somewhat stupid line "You look so sexy with my pince-nez, let's hijack this concord to the bahamas!" – but the overall quality of the material is quite high. LP, Vinyl record album