Lenine
Brazilian songsmith Lenine has been influenced and inspired by everything from pop and rock to Massive Attack and Gilberto Gil. His U.S. debut disc, then, is a virtual melting pot of those diverse sounds. Shake, stir and sway to the sounds of this intriguing artist. Lenine's songs have been recorded by the likes of Sergio Mendes and Dionne Warwick, but he is at the forefront of this disc, which actually culls material from three Brazilian releases. Featured players include Latin-funk heroes Yerba Buena, who join in on the simmering "Rosebud (O Verbo E A Verba);" and '80s oddity Living Colour, who groove during "O Homem Dos Olhos De Raio X." Electronic touches accent the disc, but the sound of live instrumentation anchors most of the material. Lenine thrives--and thrills--as another gem in Brazil's ever-expanding court of musical masters. --Joey Guerra