Putumayo: Festa Brasil
This collection focuses on the relationship between Jamaican reggae and Brazilian music--particularly the accordion-drivenforróstyle popular in Brazil's Northeastern states. Lazzo's "Sim/Nao" is notable for its stylistic references toBooker T.andToots & the Maytals, while Pepeu Gomes's "Sexy Yemanja" makes unusual use of a pedal steel guitar. (ThinkNew Riders of the Purple SagemeetKing Sunny Adein a government yard in Trenchtown.) Otherforró-based artists include Ale Muniz, Rita Ribeiro, Saldanha Rolim and Chico César, while DiDa Banda Feminina, Ivete Sangalo andGal Costarepresent Bahia, the musical heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. Most of the tracks onFesta Brasilare relatively unexceptional in themselves. But, like its Putumayo predecessor,Brasileiro, it adds up to a terrific party album.--Rick Mitchell