A sweet little album from Jorge Ben – an 80s groover with a sound that's a bit of a change from his 70s classics! The backings show Ben picking up some modern soul elements from the US scene of the time – but these are also mixed with some rougher, rhythmic styles that are definitely Brazilian – which makes for a really compelling blend – quite similar to the samba and soul mix of Jorge's 70s records, but tuned towards the ears of a different generation overall. Bits of boogie mix in to the groove nicely – and titles include "Katarina Katarina", "Para Que Digladiar", "Santa Clara Clareou", "O Diam Em Que O Sol Declarou O Seu Amor Pela Terra", "Lorraine", and "Luiz Wagner Guitarreiro". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning early bossa session by Wanda Sa – the singer who recorded for Capitol in the US under the name Wanda De Sah – but who sounds even better here in her native Brazil! Roberto Menescal put the session together, and it's filled with all of the inventive twists and turns of his own 60s work on Elenco – bits of organ, piano, flute, and percussion all sliding around magically underneath the vocals – played by a variety of groups led by Menescal, Tenorio Jr, Luiz Carlos Vinhas, and Deodato! But even more than the instrumentation, Wanda's vocals are really the star of the set – a bit breathy and nicely restrained – almost like Nara Leao in her youth, and perfectly recorded in the best RGE tradition! Titles include "Adriana", "Tristeza De Nos Dois", "Vagamente", "Vivo Sonhando", "Encontro", "Inutil Paisagem", and "E Vem O Sol". LP, Vinyl record album

Breezy genius from 70s Brazil – a set that has some fantastic harmonies over really groovy instrumentation – but all at a level that's very different than other Brazilian groups of this nature! Aquarius often use both male and female voices, layered in ways that are more complex than the 60s work of Tamba Trio or Quarteto Em Cy – and warmed up with just the right touches of keyboards, guitar, and percussion – all given some sweet production elements that maybe make the whole thing feel as if one of those acts from the earlier Brazilian generation wandered into the 70s studios at MPS! Titles include "Tamanco No Samba", "Falsa Baiana", "Carolina", "Pink Bar", "Tibidabo", "Europenema", and "So Tem Lugar Pra Voce". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful Brazilian album from the early 80s – one that has ties to some of the bigger world of MPB at the time, but which is much more obscure – given that Chico Lessa released the whole thing himself! The vibe is something in the territory of the corner club crowd that circled around Milton Nascimento – which is maybe no surprise, as Wagner Tiso handled some of the arrangements, and Marcio Borges helped write some of the songs – as did co-arranger Mauricio Maestro, who really helps to make the record sparkle! Like some of the best albums by Lo Borges, there's a wonderful balance going on here between tight production and open, honest presentation – so that the best studio touches never make things sound too slick or commercial, and instead really just amplify Chico's warm spirit at the core. Titles include "Bom De Doer", "Choveu", "Menina Dos Olhos", "Quebra Pedreira", "Veroes Azuis", and "E O Bicho Neu Deu". LP, Vinyl record album