Samba Bossa Nova
This eclectic compilation shows the syncopated and seductive evolution  of the African-derived Brazilian samba and its offspring, the bossa nova. The CD  features a new-wave series of moods and grooves tailor-made for the 21st  century. There's angel-voicedRosa Passosand her silky  version of the Ary Barroso/Luiz Peixoto song "E Luxo So." Guitarist-vocalist  Márcio Faraco's remake of Noel Rosa's samba-canção  "Feitiço da Vila" is just as tasteful. The elegant, classically tinged  Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum, led by cellist Jacques Morelenbaum, skillfully mixes  Ravel-like harmonies with Afro-Brazilian beats on "Eu e o Meu Amor/Lamento No  Morro" from the filmBlack Orpheus. The London-based groupDa Lataswings the  sacred syncopations of "Cores" in a club-friendly, secular rendition. And the  talented Moreno Veloso, son of the greatCaetano Veloso, turns in  an intimate and atmospheric version of Olodum's "Deusa do Amor" (Goddess of  Love). These tracks show that the bossa nova and the samba can still give us new  musical surprises.--Eugene Holley Jr.