Various

The latest AIDS fundraiser by the Red Hot Organization brings the focus back to Brazil a full 15 years after the first Red Hot + Rio. The two-disc collection is a tribute to an era and a group of Brazilian artists that braved critics and politics in the late '60s. Red Hot + Rio 2 captures and updates the movement's message of creative freedom and sonic fusion. Blending the voices and vision of Tropicália founders with modern indie blood (including Beirut, of Montreal, Beck) and popular Brazilian artists (Seu Jorge, Vanessa da Mata, Emicida, Ceu), the record is a mishmash of samba soul, psychedelic funk, bossa nova and rap that's brimming with dub effects and trippy flourishes. It's only fitting that 1968 LP Tropicália: ou Panis et Circencis is heavily represented. Reworked songs from that seminal record are included, along with the involvement of many of its original artists ― Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé and Os Mutantes. Red Hot + Rio 2 has enough standouts throughout its 33 tracks to keep it thrilling from start to finish; you'll quickly lose sight of the fact that you're supporting a good cause.