Various

The fashionability of Brazilian bossa sounds has faded a touch since the heyday of Bebel Gilberto, but this compilation reaffirms the timeless appeal of female singers delivering gently seductive bossa nova and samba. As is typical of Putumayo collections, this mixes feature established names and younger up-and-comers. Whereas many compilations sound jarring jumping from one artist to another, this one is almost too seamless — many of the songs have the same tempo and feel, and a little more rhythmic variety or Latin jazz fervour would have been welcome. The title is also a touch misleading, as some singers are from outside Brazil (Nossa Alma Canta is from Italy; Miriam Aida, from Sweden), though you certainly couldn't tell from listening. There are no songwriting credits, but apparently Brazilian greats like Caetano Veloso and Jorge Ben are covered, and the general quality level of the material is high. The languid trumpet on Maguinha's "Gema" is a sweet treat, as is the flute on Aline Morales's samba-style "Pra Que Sambar." A breezy samba from Miriam Maria, "Boi de Haxixe," closes the proceedings nicely. This would make for a good soundtrack for a summer patio party.