Various Artists

What's Happening in Pernambuco (Luaka Bop, 2007)

Luaka Bop continues its series of groundbreaking world music compilations with a collection of some of the hottest music from the Brazilian city of Pernambuco.

The CD What's Happening in Pernambuco focuses on the new sounds and neotraditional musicians coming from the urban center located in the northeast of Brazil. Forró, maracatú and other Brazilian beats are weaved with pop, American soul and electronic beats.

The artists selected include traditional performers like Siba, Tine, Vates e Violas; the retro sounds of Cidadio Instigado; the neolounge feel of Mundo Livre; the Brazilian surf guitar of trendy Naçao Zumbi; as well as cutting edge electronica and turntablism modernity in the case of Otto, Mombojó, Cabruera, and Alex Sant 'Anna.

The best cut in the album is "Instante Feliz" by Junio Barreto. The piece integrates inspired vocals with electronic layers, acoustic jazz bass, electric piano and a groovy percussive unit.

Buy What's Happening in Pernambuco.