A killer set that really lives up to the Samba Soul promised in the title – recorded recently by Marcio Local, but done with a solid 70s groove that takes us back to the Jorge Ben generation! The production here is perfect – never too polished, and always with a bit of grit in the grooves – so that the record feels more old-school funky than a current album trying to be retro – lots of great drums underneath keyboards, riffing guitar, and Local's raspily soulful vocals! The whole thing's pretty darn great – easily the best Luaka Bop album we've heard in ages – and it's a modern bit of samba soul we'd rank right up there with Seu Jorge's Carolina album. Titles include "Samba Sem Nenhum Problema", "Preta Luxo", "Minha Rosa", "Resgate", "Quem Pode Pode", "Sentimento Rei", "Happy Endings" by Soul Do Samba, and "Represento". (Brazil, New Grooves) CD

A record that's quite possibly most great for its guest stars – thanks to some excellent performances from Seu Jorge, Joao Donato, and others! Marcelinho Da Lua is fine on his own – a Brazilian producer working his interpretation of beats and rhythms borrowed from a variety of global sources – but the best sound of the record comes through the presence of key guests who transform the sound of each tune, and really mark out a space for themselves on the set. Seu Jorge does an incredible job on the track "Cotidiano" – scatting along with his guitar in a fury that matches any of his best work under his own name. And Joao Donato recalls his days on the 60s New York Latin scene, playing hard-edged acoustic piano on the track "La For a" – a really refreshing change from any of his recent bossa revival work! Other tracks include "Pro Marcelinho Tocar" with Roberto Menescal, "Refazenda" with Mart'Nalia, "Que Cosa Fuera" with Jota Moraes on vibes, "Cristiania 71" with Helen Calaca, and "Tranquilo" with Black Alien & Bi Ribeiro. (Brazil, New Grooves) CD