A classy album from the Bahian diva
920508
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of her music career, Bethnia gave us this valuable gift. In my opinion, this is her best studio album from the mid 80s on. It is very well conceived and it is packed with magnificent  songs and with great vocal collaborations by Joao Gilberto, Nina Simone,  Gal Costa and Alcione. The first half is rather quiet and soothing, with  ballads and torch songs, as "O canto do paj", which is one of  Bethnia's gems, "Maria/Linda flor", a whispered acoustic ballad  in duet with Gilberto, "Logrador", a heartfelt blues,  and  "Pronta pra cantar", a memorable duet with Nina, who is as  outstanding as Bethnia. Then in track 7 Bethnia gets much more  temperamental and shows us how powerful her singing can be with  "Tomara", the first uptempo song. The album finishes with two  raucous candombl-inspired songs accompanied by a batucada (percussion  band), "Aw" and "Inhans", and a nice samba,  "Palavra".
2297715
Lounge-y Brazilian electronica and soft funk-fusion.  I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this album, although others may find it a bit cloying.  There were only a couple of tunes I found irritating; otherwise this is a nicely programmed, completely listenable album, featuring several fairly well-known new artists (Otto, Max De Castro, Joyce and others), some old-timers who are trying their hands at the new sound, and several bands that are well off the radar.  It's easy listening of a pretty classy caliber.  Recommended.
2355366
This album is a compilation of ballads and other relaxed songs (new and previously released) from the hugely popular Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo. Her voice is remarkable: warm, mature and full of depth but with a slight rawness that is so typical for many Brazilian women. She used to be the lead singer for Banda Eva, popular for their uplifting dancable samba-style music, known as Ax (pronounced Ah-shay). Ivetes other solo-albums also contain a lot of Ax which makes her a top choice for performances at the Carnaval in cities like Salvador. On 'Se eu nao te amasse tanto assim' (If I didn't love you as much as I do) the listener really gets to know the true beauty of her voice and her enormous talent. This CD contains beautiful ballads like the title song, but also some very good live performance. My favourite is 'Por causa de voce, menina' (Because of you girl)' with Jorge Benjor, one of Brazil's greater performers and songwriters. This song was originally written for a solo performance but as a duet it gets a new dimension and Ivete and Jorge do an excellent job bringing this classic song to life again.
If you would like to know more about one of Brazil's most popular contemporary singers, Ivete Sangalo will be your best choice. If you like Ivete's voice (can't image you won't) also try her previous CD's 'Festa' or 'Beat Beleza' for some examples of her Ax songs. Her power and energy on these CD's are something else!
3278178
Certainly in a class By herself. She has a Beautiful voice and Wonderful sense of musicality. I adore this album. I stumble  on this album by pure accident while searching for new Releases and I'm Glad I did.  She is a Diva in the making.  I look forward to her future releases. Ms. Ariana Grande Please continue to make music like this . This is Pure talent..... It also has a little 'Old School' Flavor that I love.  It's worth a buy and try--Trust me , You will love it..
2434819
vania abreu , en este cd,despliega un excelente voz,y una suave melodia. Su version de este hermoso repertorio no desfavorece en nada a las versiones originales (sangue latino, conto da areia,etc) Un tratamiento vocal suave, con melodias armoniosas sin que falte para nada ese peculiar ritmo y sabor de brasil. Una gran cantante , que se destaca entre los "nuevos" de brasil por meritos propios. Altamente recomendable para los que gusten de la musica de brasil o latina, o solo de la buena musica bien tratada
3860180
Using the classic and iconic Brazilian songs of Ary Barroso, the immensely talented Gal Costa brings modern interpretations to the music with the quality of modern recording of the music.  It is one of the best and most listenable collections of Brazilian popular music, regardless of whether the listener is fluent in Brazilian Portuguese or not.  It's a wonderful collection and one of Gal Costa's best recordings.  Bravo!!
2854586
This is Elis at her best (was she ever anything else?) "Bodas de Prata" is a wonderful almost art-song-like composition. "Deixa o Mundo e Sol Entrar" is a basic popular song sung so well and  tastefully arranged. "Bonita" by Jobim is sung in English, but  the language barrier doesn't hamper her style or pronounciation. The  superbly-rhythmic "Ou Bola Ou Bulica" shows the typical  perfection Elis achieved in singing complex rhythms.  But for most part  it's a fairly quiet album which grows on you with repeated listenings.
4656157
Marcela Mangabeira is not exactly a stranger to Brazilian music fans across the globe... Her songs and arrangements have actually been around for some time on various CD compilations throughout Europe, Japan and of course, Brazil. You can find singular tracks from Marcela Simples CD, in collaboration with Roberto Menescal, Marcio Menescal, Alexandre Moreira and DJ, Marcelinho DaLua, (the latter three being the members and producers of BossaCucaNova), on various CDs and imports such as Versoes em Bossa, Uma Batida Diferente, Brasilidade, Beautiful in Bossa, and several other releases.  Within these compilations, she keeps good company with other vocalists of the genre including Cris Delanno, Liz Menezes, Tahta Menezes, Monique Kessous, Daniela Procopio, Taryn Szpilman, Barbara Mendes; and male vocalists, Eduardo Braga, Marcelo Rezende and many others.  Between these former compilations, and this most recent release from Marcela, we have a revitalization of Brazilian classics (or standards) by A.C. Jobim, Ivan Lins, Caetano Veloso, Vinicius de Moraes, as well as contemporary songs such as Corinne Bailey Rae's "Put Your Records On" which seems do be doing equally well for both Corinne and Marcela within internet-based community sites, and the local charts, as well, though this song is not on her new release.  However, the first three tracks: Rio (Roberto Menescal/Boscoli), Love Dance (Ivan Lins/Paul Williams), and Para Ti (Marcio Menescal/Bittencourt) will continue to be big hits for Marcela in the US as this CD becomes available.

Marcela is definitely consistant throughout her repertoire, bringing a light n' airy, uplifting spirit to all of her smooth vocals.  If you step back and look at the broad picture, I think she is well-matched with Cris Delanno, Liz Menezes and Monique Kessous at her side, and the Menescal father and son team at the central core.  On this release, the bonus track is Tom Jobim/Vincicius Moraes' "So Danco Samba".

I also suggest auditioning Versoes em Bossa which is also available through Amazon, where you will hear Marcela and the rest of the "crew from Brazil."  You're gonna love it!
3319965
Five EXCELLENT Stars! Masterful samba performances with sweet heat. It's hard to believe it has been a decade since the daughter of Brazil's immortal super-diva Elis Regina left a non-singing job in New York City with the encouragement of two legends (her dad Cesar Camargo Mariano and godfather Milton Nacimento) to take the musical plunge in So Paulo at age 24. Her first eponymous recording,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Maria-Rita/dp/B00013D3DW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Maria Rita</a>, was a platinum-selling hit and she won 3 Latin Grammies in Los Angeles in 2004. This recording follows her MPB tribute to her mother on&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Redescobrir/dp/B00A5A6FLI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Redescobrir</a>&nbsp;and marks her return focused on samba beats as she re-loads with a generous 15 songs in "Corao a Batucar" (Heart Drumming). There are 13 songs in this package.

The best of the best begin with the beauty of the lush, expressive "Rumo Ao Infinito" (Towards the Infinite) where she is really feeling the lyrics, the yearning "Abismo", the gentle "Vai Meu Samba" caressed so wonderfully by her voice with 'cuica' accents, "Mainha Me Ensinou" where she backs herself so wonderfully and "No Misterio Do Samba" (the Mystery of The Samba).

And then there are the blazing sambas: "Abre O Prito E Chora" with the uptempo "chora" refrain and a hot guitar solo, the 'samba school' sounds of " corpo,  alma,  Religio", the subtle, quirky "Nunca Se Diz Nunca" (Never Say Never) and perhaps best of all the blazing "Bola Pra Frente" where she really pours on the samba heat over a driving beat. Outstanding performances by Maria Rita. My Highest Recommendation. Five LILTING Stars (15 MP3 songs, 54 minutes.)
2987626
Basia's solo debut is simply a stunning album, and a worthy successor to the genre-blending harmonic bliss of Matt Bianco's "Whose Side are you on." The first time I ever heard the single "Time and Tide," I thought the clear, assured voice sounded like a young Linda Ronstadt, and I still think it's a brilliant single to kick off an amazing body of work. The songwriting (with Danny White) is sensitive and insightful, the melodies rich and full of Latin and jazz influences and textures. It is music too smart and sophisticated for the masses, and it's a credit to Basia that she doesn't strive to be more commercial. She's big in Brasil and many Latin countries, and I believe that attests to her appreciation of melody and Latin musical forms. Whether she is mining the melancholy of post-relationship emotion in "From Now on," tearing it up on "How Dare You," floating breezily through "Miles Away," or singing a glorious tribute (and repaying her debt of influence) to Brasilian superstar Astrud Gilberto on "Astrud," she always sounds elegant and intelligent. Matt Bianco fans might miss the zany genius of Mark Reilly, but Basia and Danny White prove with this CD that they are worthy colleagues of Mr. Reilly and his musical mayhem machine. You can't help but be excited about how to follow such a spectacular debut.
2228114
Daniela Romo is a new artist in my library.  There was one song I kept hearing on our Latin radio stations which really entranced me and I heard it once in a Mexican restaurant.  I asked the waiter who the artist and  song was, and he told me about Romo, and the song, "De Mi  Enamorate".  This, I think, is the greatest song on her album,  "Mis Mejores Canciones--17 Super Exitos".  There is a certain  sentimental atmosphere of our collective youth in Romo's music, and that  romance and fantasy come out in "Enamorate".  Another great  selection on the album is the first cut, "Quiero Amanecer Con  Alguien".  The seventeen songs on the album give a complete example of  Romo's body of work, and there is a definite consistency in her performance  ability.  I would like to learn Spanish, and although I can't understand  the lyrics on this album, it seems clear that there is a fine poetry in  many of the songs.  Even so, the musical tunes can completely carry the  attention of the listener even if he or she doesn't speak the language.  This album is highly recommended because it captures a time in all of our  lives which elicits the magic and love that we always long for.
2865161
OK, I think even most people who love everything Diamada Galas has ever done will agree that she is something of an acquired taste, and this album is no exception.  'Easy listening,' she is not.
That said, I have to admit to being a big fan of her stuff, even though I have to take it in relatively small doses.

Having first been exposed to Galas through "The Litanies of Satan," "Wild Women with Steak Knives," and then gone on to "Plague Mass" two things immediately intrigued me about this album:  although recorded in 1998 it was initially released on vinyl (remember vinyl?); and...Diamanda sings the blues??  Wow.

About the vinyl release, I happened across it not long ago in the record bins of a local CD store that has lately given over at least a third of their space to new and used vinyl.  Except that's a relatively recent phenomenon.  By the early 2000's a fair amount of new rap was coming out in vinyl, but in 1998 most of the audio world seemed pretty well convinced that vinyl was dead, buried, and thoroughly decomposed.  What prompted Galas to put these tracks out on vinyl at that point in time is a mystery to me.  I'm glad I paid the $25 for the (new) double vinyl album, though, as I notice that Amazon sellers have tagged it at $196 and up currently (2011).

[NB:  The album was re-released in 2002 as a CD, for those of you who don't know what a "turntable" is. ;-)  ]

The album consists of solo performances of Diamanda vocalizing ('singing' is too limiting a term) and accompanying herself on piano (and she's no slouch at the keys) in various live concerts.  The very first tune cracked me up -- it begins with a furious piano solo, and it wasn't until the vocals were well established a few minutes later that I recognized the signiture B.B.King tune "The Thrill is Gone".

Heaven help the poor schmoe who stopped thrilling Ms. Galas, because she sounds like she may be eying him with homicidal intent.

Well, one expects Galas's music to be emotionally charged (to put it mildly), and to deal with dark and violent themes and feelings, and in that one is not disappointed in this album.  In retrospect it now seems to me that the blues are a natural for Diamanda, though of course she does them in her own unique way (I have since heard "This Sporting Life"...)  There is a certain element of humor here, which I had not previously heard in her work, probably not because it isn't there, but because up to now it's been overwhelmed by the avalanche of other sensations.  Something about this live recording seems to bring out even more subtlties in her voice, if that be possible.

As other reviewers have pointed out, this is one of the "milder" albums put out by Galas, although if you are unfamiliar with her work it may still come off as one of the most powerful vocal albums you've heard.  Not for the faint of heart, but well worth a listen or three, if only to clean out your ears from the dreck that plays on the radio these days.
2160461
Even if you don't understand a word of Italian (which I didn't, really, prior to getting this album), you can still appreciate the sound and emotion of the songs on this album.  "Emozione", "Micky", and "Un' incredibile storia", the three singles (?) are simply wonderful pop songs. I can't say as I'm quite as inspired by the rest of the album (though 4 stars is too low for it...4.5 more like), but they're all listenable. The actual title of the album is "Un' incredibile storia". Their follow-up, and sadly most recent, album, is "La scatola" ("The Box", from 1997), with more great music. I highly recommend it, especially for "Inconquistabile" and the atmospheric "Quello che sento".
"Emozione" from this album was covered by Puerto Rican singer Millie in Spanish, as "Emociones". I am one of the relatively few people on the planet that know of and have both songs on record. How Millie got hold of it, I'll never know, but it's sure to be an interesting tale.
On "La scatola", Cinzia sings a song in English, "Sunday Mondays". I now find out that it was originally sung by Vanessa Paradis, and released on her 1992 self-titled album, written largely and produced by Lenny Kravitz. There's some trivia for you.
Anyway, I highly, highly recommend this album to any fan of pop music.
2708717
This is in my opinion,by far,Gloria Estefan's best album EVER! I remember when I heard one of the singles so I just had to go check it out. Went to store and started listening to the tracks. Needless to say I ended up buying the album on the spot and when I got home I couldn't put it down!!! Gloria managed to mixed together a bunch of different rhytms and sounds such as cuban salsa, african beat and disco in a flawless, seamless work of art as only the Mother of all Latin Divas can. Every single track is upbeat and you just can't help wanting to dance. And the way the tracks go from one right to the next without the gap between them is just amazing!!! the lyrics are a celebration of love and exhaltation tied with a bit of sensuality. It's the type of album you want to listen to when you're having a bad day. For anyone who likes or ever listen to latin music this is a must!!! 4 thumbs up to you Gloria!
3444311
Sammy Figueroa, who was raised in the Bronx, New York, is a percussionist extraordinaire, with a vast discography in mainstream and free jazz, rock, R&B, and Latin American and Caribbean music. He even appeared with TV's SNL and the Letterman bands. Glaucia Nasser, with a rich, expressive voice, is a Brazilian singer from rural Minas Gerais, who debuted in 2004 [also one of the artists in the Putumayo Acoustic Brazil anthology]. Brazilian vocal jazz styling with Afro-Cuban bomba and plena, Puerto Rican bat&aacute;, Brazilian samba, and Uruguayan candombe beats is a fresh sound fusion. Recorded in So Paulo, the album also includes supporting performances by pandeiro player Bernardo Agular, guitarists Michi Ruzitschka (who also assisted in most arrangements) and Chico Pinherio. The piano in two tracks is played by Bianca Gismonti, daughter of Egberto Gismonti). Assisting in percussion is Chrystian Galante, and the bassist is Fernando Rosa. These recordings are a percussionist's dream, but they are also beautifully melodic. Partial lyrics in English translation are found with package notes; track 6, Mandela, is the seemingly requisite English song, which includes a children's chorus. What a refreshingly different album! Every unique track grabs interest. 45 wonderful minutes.
2517316
I really enjoyed this album by Patricia Petibon, who has rapidly become one of my favorite modern singers. This Latin-themed record features excellent performances in a variety of styles with Spanish or Portuguese roots as the common theme.

For a coloratura soprano, Petibon has a remarkable range, and her mastery of deeper registers as well as the high end is well on display here. A few works -- including selections from Xavier Montsalvatge's "Cinco canciones negras" -- were actually written for mezzo soprano.

As usual on Amazon, the list of works provided doesn't give insight into the composers. Here is a quick breakdown:

1. Enrique Granados - Tonadillas: La maja dolorosa II: Ay majo de mi vida
2. Xavier Montsalvatge - Cinco canciones negras: Cancin de cuna
3. Xavier Montsalvatge - Cinco canciones negras: Canto negro
4. Joaqun Nin y Castellanos - Veinte cantos populares espaoles: El vito
5. Heitor Villa-Lobos - Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5: I. Aria (Cantilena)
6. Joaqun Turina - Poema en forma de canciones: Cantares
7. Gernimo Gimnez - La Tempranica: La tarntula  un bicho m malo (Zapateado)
8. Rafael Calleja Gmez, Tomas Barrera Saavedra - Emigrantes: Adis Granada
9. Manuel de Falla - La vida breve, Act I: Vivan los que ren!
10. Federico Moreno Torroba - La marchenera: Petenera
11. Enrique Granados - Tonadillas: El mirar de la maja
12. Jos Serrano Simen - La cancin del olvido: Marinela, Marinela
13. Traditional, Francisco Ernani Braga - Ogund uarer
14. Nicolas Bacri - Melodias de la Melancolia: A la mar
15. Nicolas Bacri - Melodias de la Melancolia: Silencio mi nio
16. Nicolas Bacri - Melodias de la Melancolia: Hay quien dice
17. Nicolas Bacri - Melodias de la Melancolia: Solo

There are only a couple of instantly recognizable "standards" -- the first movement of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 and the rousing selection from "La Tempranica" by Gernimo Gimnez. I do regret that Petibon didn't include the second movement from Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5, as an integral performance would probably have made this my favorite recording of Villa-Lobos' most popular work.

But apart from that regret, I found the selection of material very satisfying, and was happy to gain exposure to a number of Spanish, Catalan, Cuban and Brazilian composers that are off the beaten path of standard classical repertory.

The centerpiece of the CD is the new song cycle "Melodias de la Melancholia", written specifically for Petibon by contemporary French composer Nicolas Bacri. While his French status does fudge the album's Iberian theme a bit, the Spanish text -- and more importantly, the rich expressiveness of the music -- more than make up for this. This is a well-rounded song cycle that takes us through a variety of melancholy moods, from languished to anguished. Very nice indeed.

I am very happy that Patricia Petibon is gaining wider exposure and recognition. My perceptions of her as a performer were skewed for quite a while. A few years ago I lived in Europe and was an avid viewer of the French classical cable channel Mezzo. Between longer programs, Mezzo would regularly play short classical video clips, MTV-style, and Petibon was in their constant rotation -- but only with strange, quirky bits featuring her in various outlandish hairstyles. These were mainly, but not exclusively from her role as Olympia in Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann". Mentally, I guess I wrote her off for a while as a talented novelty singer.

My perceptions began to change seriously when I saw the video of her singing "Der Holle Rache" -- the aria of the Queen of the Night from "The Magic Flute". Shot in the recording studio with no makeup or pretense, there I saw a singer with power I had not imagined before, coupled with humor and easy grace. I started listening to more Patricia Petibon and became hooked as a real fan. This album confirms her power and personal charm as a performer, as well as her status as one of the top talents around today. Highly recommended.
2415968
i have so much to say about this album- first of all it is genius! i don't mean to exaggerate when i said that this was a tropical-style album- it's really not completely tropical- it is definitely Banda.  However, it is has  many hints of tropical music in it such as reed instruments and percussion-  its banda with a modern twist- i love it! my favorite songs on this album  are: No Me Trates Mal, Las Isabeles, Libro Abierto, Y Me Volvi A Enamorar,  El Amor No Se Vende, Ya No, and Robame Un Beso. please listen to these  songs: they were absolutely fabulously done. i would like to comment on the  re-recording of these songs on this album- the new way in which she did  them with banda was phenomenal! the album opens up beautifully with No Me  Trates Mal- a great dance song. then, it has the very upbeat bright  traditional banda songs: Las Isabeles and El Amor No Se Vende. then it has  a BEAUTIFUL new version of Libro Abierto- slightly tropical- this is the  most beautiful way i have ever heard her sing it! then, her newest hit, Y  Me Volvi A Enamorar is awesome, also slight tropical undertones in the  music.  Then there is a super exito, Ya No, from her previous album, Mi  Corazon Es Tuyo- i have always loved this song- and this has always been  one of my favorite songs by her. and of course, the great, Robame Un Beso-  redone with La Banda Movida- this was tremendous! i loved it so much! this  was the most "tropical" of the songs- and she even did a slightly  different vocal style in it- listen for it. i cannot wait for her next  album to come out!!