Maria Rita
Maria Rita could be considered the Norah Jones of Brazilian pop jazz/bossa nova for her familiar but fresh musical blend on this debut. She won 2004 Latin Grammys for best new artist of the year and best Brazilian pop album for her debut. The 13-track CD vibrates with her blend of traditional bossa nova, sophisticated pop, and jazzy freeflow style with the classic accompaniment of drums, piano, and acoustic bass. Although all of the songs are sung in Portugese, the varying sentiments of longing, sadness, celebration, and hope are not hard to understand. She is a strong, expressive singer who can shoot from a pleading whisper to a full-throated wail and back in a second. The daughter of famed Brazilian musicians--pop singer Elis Regina and and pianist Cesar Camargo Mariano--Rita is a fresh voice in a genre best enjoyed in speakeasy clubs and relaxed lounge parties.--Ramiro Burr