Pretty strong 80s fusion – Cesar's on lots of electric keyboards, and the album features guest appearances from Ivan Lins and Sadao Watanabe. There's some nice moments buried in the mix, but the production is a bit slick, toning down the emotion and funk of Mariano's earlier records. Songs include "Amor Em Paz", "Send One Your Love", and "Tokyo". CD

A warm intimate set by these two legendary Brazilian talents – Nana Caymmi on vocals, and the legendary Cesar Camargo Mariano playing some wonderfully mellow keyboards. Mariano plays electric piano on most of the set, and the album's got a laidback quality that brings out the best in Nana – and which avoids some of the overly-dark styles that can sometimes bog down other albums from the time. Great stuff overall – with tracks that include "Fruta Boa", "Voz E Suor", "Velho Piano", "Doce Presenca", and "Isso E Aquilo". CD

A brilliant new vision for the legendary Banda Black Rio – the pioneering samba, soul and funk combo that broke so much ground in the 70s and remain vital to this day – led here by William Magalhaes, in a mode that celebrates decades of the best Brazilian music, while fearlessly moving it forward! William's father Oberdan Magalhaes was a driving force behind the original Banda Black Rio, and we couldn't really imagine a more appropriate new vision for the group than his son's. William wrote or co-wrote each track and he sings, plays keys and synth, guitar, bass, drums and more. The expansive group brings a depth of percussion, horns, strings and vocals – delivering timeless and dexterous jazzy Brazilian funk and dancefloor soul. The guest list includes classic and contemporary greats like Seu Jorge, Elza Soares, Marcio Local, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and others! Includes "Louis Lane" with Seu Jorge & Mano Brown, "Super Nova Samba Funk (9 No Samba)", "America Do Sul", "Isabela" feat Elza Soares and Cesar Camargo Mariano, "Samba Nova", "Quem Vem La" feat Marcio Local, "Deixa Estar" feat Aleh, "Lindos Olhos" feat Seu Jorge and Don Pixote, "Paname" feat Pyroman, "Final Feliz", "Irere" feat Gilberto Gil, "Aos Pes Do Redentor" feat Caetano Veloso and more. 16 tracks on the CD version. CD

A new record by Blossom Dearie – and a really nice one! The set's on her own Daffodil label, but unlike a lot of the sets on that label, which are mostly trio ones, this one features a full group – with great arrangements by Cesar Camargo Mariano, a talent behind some of our favorite Brazilian jazz recordings! The feel here is light and lively – Blossom's vocals dancing with some nice small combo backing, performed by a group that includes Jay Berliner on guitar and Grady Tate on some occasional backup vocals. Titles include "Lvoe Dance", "Make Some Magic", "Wave", "The Ladies Who Lunch", and "Bluesette". CD

A great little album by Elis – recorded for Warner/Elektra at the end of her career, but very much in the spirit of her classic work for Philips in the 70s. Like so many of those records, this one features arrangements and keyboards by Cesar Camargo Mariano – and the list of tracks is a stellar blend of work by some of Brazil's finest writers. Includes a wonderful version of Milton Nascimento's "Maria Maria" – plus "Alo Alo Marciano", "O Primeiro Jornal", "Marambaia", "Menino", "Redescobrir", "Sabia", "Onze Fitas", "Conversando No Bar", and "Redescobrir". Double CD, with all tracks from both volumes! CD

A beautiful album from the early 70s – and one that shows Elis Regina really transforming her jazzy bossa style into something far more complicated and baroque! She's working here with her best arranger, Cesar Camargo Mariano, and the tracks feature small-group performances that include players like Toninho Horta, Roberto Menescal, and Paulinho – all coming together beautifully to match the deepening emotion in Regina's vocals. Titles include a great version of Gilberto Gil's "Oriente", plus the tracks "Doente Morena", "Agnus Sei", "Meio Do Campo", "Folhas Secas", and "Ladeira Da Preguica". CD