Zuco 103

While there's not much known about this contemporary Latin-fusion act, the attraction lies in the warm voice of their lead singer, equal parts Brazilian pop and UK soul for the dance floor. She swings from slightly melancholic to upbeat over the mild G-funk grind of "Outra Lado (NYC 12 mix)," the pick of the disc. The "Presence Mix" is a little more organic, with a rim-shot groove that's closer to contemporary American R&B. The band takes things into a junglist dimension on "Humana." The drums are slicked-out and the syncopation is a little amateur. Popular counterpart Da Lata does a much better job at this kind of thing, but the appeal is still there.