Marisa Monte

Marisa Monte grew up breathing samba, and Universo, her first all-samba release, devotes itself to resurrecting classic sambas that have never been recorded. Monte's great talent can get buried in syrupy arrangements, but that's not the case here: her iridescent voice often does its slow-motion bossa nova clad in just a guitar and brushed drums. Songs like "Perdoa Meu Amor" and "Para Mais Ninguem" seduce you without even seeming to try, while the new compositions blend seamlessly with the old.