Although the copyright on this CD says 1997, we've got a feeling that it's from an earlier time – judging by the look of Edu and Chico on the cover. The set's a haunting blend of the styles of these two masters of Brazilian music – with a full orchestra backing up the tracks, and a number of additional musicians added to give this a fairly serious concert sound. At points, the style of arranging is similar to Edu's fantastic Missa Breve LP, with lots of haunting vocal passages, and strident orchestral arrangments underpinned with Brazilian percussion. Chico's voice is in fine form, and the set list includes 17 tracks, with "Choro Bandido", "Valsa Brasileira", "Bancarrota Blues", "Meia-noite", "Sobre Todas As Coisa", and "Beatriz". Packaged in a nice slipcase, with a very cool booklet. CD

An ambitious larger production from the team of Edu Lobo and Chico Buarque – the famous stage musical O Grande Circo Mistico, based on the poem by Jorge De Lima, and featuring a range of top-shelf performers that includes Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Milton Nascimento, Jane Duboc, Zizi Possi, Simone, and Tim Maia! The work has a serious style that's in keeping with some of Lobo's more contemplative work of the 70s – but also has some of the more dynamic horn arrangements that were also showing up in his work. And as you'd guess from the title, there's a bit of a "circus" feel in the air – but one that's musically playful, and never too kitschy. Titles include "Meu Namorado", "Sobre Todas As Coisas", "Na Carreira", "O Circo Mistico", "A Bela E A Fera", "A Historia De Lily Braun", and "Beatriz". LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing work from a young Chico Buarque – a record that seems to draw on all the best elements of 60s Brazilian pop, and forge them into a sound that's all its own! At one level, there's a post-bossa style of larger arrangements here that recalls the work of Edu Lobo – handled by Maestro Gaya in a mode that recalls some of the best bits of the time on the Elenco or Forma labels. But at another level, there's also a personal and slightly folksy style that reminds us of the initial power of Geraldo Vandre – a sound that's clearly present in Buarque's work, and which stands in a direct line to the best strengths of the emerging Tropicalia generation. The set's filled with classics that include "Carolina", "Roda Viva", "O Velho", "Ate Pensei", "Sem Fantasia", and "Desencontro" – and a few tracks feature Chico in duets with either Toquinho, Cristina, or MPB4! LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent early album by one of Brazil's greatest singers! The record captures Elis Regina at a prime early stage – when her voice was raw and filled with emotion, and when she was backed by some excellent arrangements that blended jazz, bossa, and more complicated vocal settings. The material is handled extremely well – and the set list includes many early versions of songs by some of Brazil's best writers, like "Cancao Do Sal" by Milton Nascimento, "Sonho De Maria" by Marcos Valle, "Tem Mais Samba" by Chico Buarque, "Lunik 9" and "Roda" by Gilberto Gil, "Pra Dizer Adeus" by Edu Lobo, and "Boa Palavra" by Caetano Veloso. CD

A great 70s album by this landmark Brazilian vocal group – recorded with a smooth electric feel that works well for their sweet harmonies. The album features songs by Joao Bosco, Livan Lins, Chico Buarque, and Edu Lobo – and the overall sound is different than their 60s work, but great in many different ways. It's because of groups like this that Brazil was able to hang onto a harmony sound long after American groups of the 60s had faded away – and if you dig the Brazilian harmony work of the 70s, you'll like this one a lot. Titles include "O Ronco Da Cuica", "Corrente", "Canto Dos Homens", "Aparecida", "Moreno", "Bola Ou Bulica", and "Negro, Negro". LP, Vinyl record album

Olivia Hime sings here with some key "amigos" – on a record that continues that wonderfully collaborative spirit we love in Brazilian music! American artists hardly ever give themselves so openly – save, perhaps, for hip hoppers looking to climb up the ladder with an appearance on another record – but Brazilian singers and musicians are always ready to help each other out – to check their egos at the door, and come together beautifully on records like these – which often stand out as some of the most special moments in their careers! Hime's great on her own – and we love her other Biscoito Fino records – but there's really something special going on here, as she works alongside Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Chico Buarque, Dory Caymmi, Djavan, and Lenine – all artists whose presence only seems to make Olivia more at home in her own space. Titles include "Ultimo Retrato", "Cara Bonita", "Fortaleza", "Morena Do Mar", "Pra Voce Que Chora", "Barbara", and "Corpo Marinheiro". CD

A really loving tribute to the genius of Vinicius De Moraes – pulled from the recent film about his poetry and rich contributions to Brazilian music! The CD works almost as an audio documentary from the film – interspersing readings of poetic work with music, vocal performances, and commentary on Vinicius by Caetano and Chico Buarque! The overall format is as personal and poetic as might be hoped – and really captures the mix of spoken and vocal work that graced some of the older recordings made by Vinicius in the 60s and 70s. Titles include "Berimbau" by Edu Lobo, "Medo De Amar" by Chico Buarque, "Se Todos Fossem Iguais A Voce" by Renato Braz, "Canto Triste" by Monica Salmaso, "Sem Mais Adeus" by Francis Hime, "Formosa" by Gilberto Gil, and "Tarde Em Itapoa" by Toquinho. CD

Dreamy and drifting – a great selection of tunes, most of them bossa ones, inspired and about the sea – clearly a fixation if you're living on the beautiful beaches of Rio! The package pulls together tracks from a variety of sources – and includes some gems from the classic bossa years of the Elenco and Philips catalogs. Titles include "Arrasto" by Edu Lobo, "Garota De Ipanema" by Nara Leao, "Mar E Lua" by Chico Buarque, "Beira Mar" by Gilberto Gil, "Mar Azul" by Wanda Sa, "Surfboard" by Tom Jobim, "Lugar Comum" by Joao Donato, and "Quem Vem Pra Beira Do Mar" by Jussara Silveira. CD