Though this album didn't get the attention of Maria Rita's debut, this samba tribute is her best yet. Effervescent, rootsical and pulsing with the life force of samba.

Seminal guitarist who's also a brilliant composer and arranger. One of his big fans and emulators is Pat Metheny. This is a lush, ambitious tribute to Jobim recorded in Japan, and we will be forever indebted to the funder of this project, who let Horta do what he does best: weave sonic wonderlands of delicious harmonic sophistication. Features Gal Costa on vocals on several tunes.

I must have 16 Joyce albums. She's prolific and singular in her sound, blending jazz with bossa and samba and gorgeous vocals. A pioneering songwriter and singer, Joyce is at her best on this tribute to the late Elis Regina, mother of Maria Rita.

If Steely Dan and Sly Stone joined up with a Brazilian electronica hipster, it would come out like this. Superb.

This classic will live on after we're all gone. The birth of the bossa outside Brazil. The CD's titled Getz Gilberto, but it's the genius of the composer, Tom Jobim, that makes these songs immortal.

Speed-strummed cavaquinhos and yelping cuicas fuel the frolic as the queen of pagode does her thing.

Two legends who blazed the trail for the musical feast to come.

One of the true musical originals, Jorge Ben and his eclectic, funky, savvy music is a category all its own. This speed-strumming acoustic retrospective is jammed with gems, like "Zumbi."

A good entry point to the breezy invention of modern Joyce. She makes it sound easy, but it ain't. She's in full vocal flight on this delightful collection.

The gem count is high on one of Caetano's best, and most consistent, albums.