Garota Moderna
The irresistible combination of smoky bossa nova textures and velvety electronic beats has already been successfully mined by Brazilian divas such as Bebel Gilberto and Cibelle.  But in the hands of Italian DJ Nicola Conte, the electro-bossa recipe continues to surprise with its wide-eyed innocence, lounge undertones and instantly hummable melodies.  Conte has an ear for the melancholy feeling of pop culture nostalgia associated with the 1960s-- the Antonio Carlos Jobim records, the Michel Legrand soundtracks, the Stan Getz sessions.  De Souza's sweet vocals and tender delivery are ideal for the task of resurrecting venerable samba nuggets such as Baden Powell's and Vinicius de Moraes' exuberant "Canto De Ossanha" and Caetano Veloso's wistful "Saudosismo."  Equally intriguing are the handful of original tunes by Conte and De Souza--a seamless recreation of the summery vibe and enviable lightness of touch that lies at the essence of the bossa aesthetic.--Ernesto Lechner