As Brazil has become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, so has domestic self-confidence in her rich musical history reasserted itself. In addition to samba and bossa, regional styles such as forró, gaúcho and carimbó have come to the fore, receiving a modernized sound from a new generation of gifted musicians. The album features the marvellous singer Ceú, whose style is informed by the whole spectrum of black music, from gospel to Afrobeat. Singer-songwriter Seu Jorge began his career in the seminal Rio samba-funk band Farofa Carioca, and his international reputation continued to soar with his pop-inspired solo albums. The London based singer Cibelle broke through on the landmark electro-Brasil album São Paulo Confessions and has since released three excellent records. Hailing from a prodigious musical family, Danilo Caymmi has had a distinguished career as a singer, flautist and guitarist. Luciana Mello has sung samba and Música Popular Brasileira professionally since childhood, and has made several radio hits and three outstanding albums. One of the most recent additions to the scene, the cool-jazz influenced Luísa Maita’s 2010 debut work Lero-Lero has quickly established this Paulista singer-songwriter’s credentials.

Márcio Menescal’s Rio-groove outfit Bossacucanova has superbly shown on four records, how to build upon the lounge-friendly reinterpretation of bossa nova classics. Led by the brilliant son of the late maestro of acoustic Afro-guitar Baden Powell, the tight cool-jazz Marcell Powell Trio adds a Brazilian twist to Wes Montgomery and Nat Cole standards and performs his own compositions.

The bonus disc presents one of Brazil’s top singers Vitor Ramil, who teamed up with the renowned percussionist Marcos Suzano for an album of hypnotic melodies, poetic lyrics and unique rhythmic sensibilities.