A sweet funky classic from 70s Brazil – one of those records that's found thousands of funky fans over the decades – and which still continues to please! The set's the best-ever from Orlandivo – a soulful singer whose set up perfectly here with funky backings from the great Joao Donato – working on organ and Fender Rhodes for the set, and hitting the same soulful styles as his own great 70s albums! Grooves have a sunny feel, but these jazz funk undercurrents that are completely infectious – wicked interplay between the bass and drums, guitar and keyboards – set to vocals from Orlandivo that clearly borrow some of Jorge Ben's soulful influence too. Other players include Sivuca on accordion, Durval Ferreira on guitar, and Helcio Milito on percussion – and titles include "Um Abraco No Bengil", "Palladium", "A Felicidade", "Tudo Joia", "Juazeiro", and "Bolinha De Sabao" – plus the great "Tamaco No Samba", which is a thinly disguised version of "Samba Blim". CD

Clara Moreno's working here with some famous help in the credits – but the sound of the album is definitely all her own, and even better than some of her other great sets in recent years! The style is mostly bossa, but served up with a slightly modern approach – not one that's electrified or remixed, but nicely free of cliches that try to hard to conjure up images from the old days – done in a sparely evocative mode that really gets to the best heart of the bossa, and re-presents it wonderfully with Clara's youthful talents! Moreno's on vocals throughout – although Celso Fonseca sings a bit on a few duets – and instrumentation includes acoustic guitar from both Fonseca and Joyce on some tracks, plus drums by Tutty Moreno. Most instrumentation is acoustic, and quite stripped down – sometimes only a bit of guitar, bass, and percussion behind the vocals – giving Clara plenty of room to stand on her own, center stage. Titles include "Rosa De Ouro", "Litoranea", "Sabe Quem", "Sei La", "Moca Flor", "Mon Manege A Moi", "Tenderly", "Ela Vai Pro Mar", "Vem Morena Vem", and "Copacabana". CD