Maria Bethania recorded some of her best early material in a live setting – and this album is great testament to that fact! Unlike some of her Tropicalia contemporaries – whose live records could sometimes be a bit rough around the edges – Bethania's albums were always very well-put together performances done with tremendous musical backings – all quite sophisticated, sometimes even more so than her studio sessions, and magically recorded in a way that still preserved a strong sense of intimacy in her vocals! Titles include "Ponto De Oxum", "Minha Historia", "Lembrancas", "Rosa Dos Ventos", "Janelas Abertas No 2", "Movimento Dos Barcos", and "Flor Da Noite". LP, Vinyl record album

Two rare sessions by Vinicius – back to back on one 2 CD set! CD one features a 1970 recording in Buenos Aires – with Maria Creuza and Toquinho. Creuza was at her best during the early 70s – and working here with the classic bossa team of poet Vinicius De Moraes and guitarist Toquinho, she really sparkles with a sound that's some of her best singing on record. The trio sing separately or together from track to track – and the set includes a lot of great work that's in the Black Orpheus or Afro Sambas mode. Titles include "Canto De Osshana", "A Felicidade", "Tomara", "Canto De Osshana", "Minha Namorada", "Valsa Da Tunisia", "Lamento No Morro", and a great version of Caetano Veloso's "Irene"! The other CD follows a similar format – with Maria Bethania instead of Creuza – and tracks include "A Tonga Da Mironga Do", "Kabulete", "E De Manha", "Samba Da Rosa", "Testamento", "Apelo", "Viramindo", and "Tarde Em Itapoa". 2CD set features lots of bonus tracks – 12 more titles that include "Nesta Ru Tao Deserta", "Formosa", "Ate Londres", "Gente Do Morro", "Das Rosas", "E Nada Mais", "Berimbau", and "Samba Em Preludio". CD

Chico Buarque's fourth album – a mainstream Brazilian success at the time, but a record that's still as great as any of the more experimental sides from the time! Buarque has a sense of timing and charm here that are undeniable – an approach to the music that's aware of all the youthful inventions of the 60s, but which moves it to a much more sophisticated level, one that's especially touched by some of the European greats of the era. Backings range from simple samba to larger strings – and Chico's voice is incredible – with a slight rasp that would go on to influence a generation of popular Brazilian singers in years to come! Titles include "Rosa Dos Ventos", "Samba E Amor", "Pois E", "Cara A Cara", "Nao Fala De Maria", and "Gente Humilde". CD

The title might make this sound like a completists "best of" of work by Elis Regina, but it's actually a pretty good selection of tracks from the last years of her life, when she was recording for Elektra in Brazil, and working in a style that mixed her jazzy roots with more modern styles of instrumentation. The track features 14 cuts, mostly from her Elektra years – including both live and studio recordings of tunes like "Upa Neguinho", "Garota De Ipanema" (performed with Hermeto Pascoal)", "Conversando No Bar", "Eu Hein, Rosa!", "Maria, Maria", "Aquarela Do Brasil". Also included is a lovely rare cut from the early 60s – "Murmurio", which is done here as a lively samba, with great vocals by Elis! CD

Latin grooves from the 60s and 70s – most from hard-to-find sides cut for Atlantic Records! Like the first volume, this one dips into some excellent material that was only ever briefly issued on LP – and it mixes it with some overlooked Latin cuts on albums by jazz and soul artists from the same time. The groove's got a tight 60s beat to it – with plenty of Latin Soul riffing, and even a bit of funk in the mix. Titles include "His Groove" and "King Kong" by Eddie Cano & Nino Tempo, "Watusi Boogaloo" and "Light & Sweet" by Willie Rosario, "Are You Sure" by Freedom Sounds, "Ghetto Funk" by Ike Turner, "Blood Shot" by Hubert Laws, "Devilette" by Dave Pike, and "Hip Hug Her" by Mongo Santamaria. LP, Vinyl record album