With his thick, engaging sound and elegant romanticism, it only made sense for Ike Quebec to try his hand at the bossa nova boom Stan Getz kick-started in 1962, and that's what he did with Soul Samba. However, Quebec makes the session much more than mere bandwagon-jumping. He takes some chances with the repertoire and consciously adds a heavy blues inflection that makes Soul Samba one of the more unique interpretations of the bossa nova style. It's also one of the more sensuous, thanks in part to the combination of Quebec's natural tendencies and the soft, light style itself, but even more so with the extra bit of meat added via the blues. The music is warm and danceable, yet with a late-evening hush that's more suggestive of winding down and getting cozy with someone…

Maracanós, the new collaborative album by Brazilian pianist, composer, and producer Ricardo Bacelar and legendary percussionist Airto Moreira, will be released worldwide on April 24, 2026, via Jasmin Music. The largely instrumental project features a special appearance by acclaimed vocalist Flora Purim and will be available simultaneously across major international markets, including Brazil, the United States, Portugal, France, Germany, China, and Japan.

This two-fer from WEA International features a pair of out of print Sergio Mendes LPs: Great Arrival and Beat of Brazil. Originally issued on Atlantic Records in 1966 and 1967, respectively, these 22 easy listening, Latin pop songs include "Monday, Monday," "Desafinado," "Garôta de Ipanema (The Girl from Ipanema)," and "Here's That Rainy Day." This is a nice sampler of familiar items that should satisfy the needs of casual fans.

The trio featured in this project pays tribute to some of the great composers/interpreters of South American culture and what it has done for the universe by weaving the thin thread that binds the past to the present. In other words, Paolo Fresu wrote some texts in Sardinian on the music of Linx. Linx adapted some English texts for Pablo Milanés and Famke Sinninghe Damsté as well as writing some texts in Dutch for Milton Nascimento. Beytelmann composed from the world of Piazzolla and embellished Linx's and Fresu's poetry with his touch. Trama Latina is in short, a tribute to the energy that swings between continents and cultures.

Bandleader/conga player Ray Barretto continued to assert himself as one of the premier mainstream salsa catalysts of the early '70s with one of his most celebrated albums. Barretto, bass player Andy Gonzalez, pianist/arranger Louis Cruz, timbales master Orestes Vilató, and bongo player Johnny Rodríguez contribute to the band's tough rhythm section; of course, vocalist Adalberto Santiago is a knockout on tunes like the hilarious "Se Traba" and the memorable "Alma Con Alma." One of Barretto's top albums of the 1970s and another example of what made New York salsa so special.

This album highlights the remarkable talents of Markolino, who wrote and arranged every selection. His expressive keyboard work serves as the driving force behind the orchestra, guiding dynamic arrangements that flow effortlessly and invite the listener into the music. This album delivers energy, groove, and artistry in every note.

Recorded at a video taping in the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles as part of the Jazzvisions series, this was Jobim's live act shortly after he resumed touring in the mid-'80s. At the time, Jobim struck an avuncular, almost casually anti-show-business presence seated before a grand piano, presiding over a large ensemble composed of friends and family, singing in his endearingly rough, now-threadbare voice. Some of the performances here are little more than pro-forma run-throughs of standard Jobim oldies but things perk up when Jobim digs into some lesser-known compositions like his "Song of the Jet" and son Paulo's catchy "Samba do Soho." In any case, the material is always superb and the cool-voiced, always in-pitch Brazilian singer Gal Costa turns up on a few numbers.

Known for his mariachi-inspired easy listening sound, trumpeter Herb Alpert is one of the most successful instrumental performers in pop history. He is also one of the entertainment industry's canniest businessmen, having co-founded A&M Records – a label that ranks among the most prosperous artist-owned companies ever established – with partner Jerry Moss. Collection includes: The Lonely Bull (1962); South Of The Border (1964); Whipped Cream & Other Delights (1965); !!Going Places!! (1965); What Now My Love (1966); S.R.O (1966); The Beat Of The Brass (1968); Rise (1979); Fandango (1982); Bullish (1984); Keep Your Eye On Me (1987); Classics, Volume 1 (1987); Steppin' Out (Featuring Lani Hall) (2013); In The Mood (2014); Come Fly With Me (2015).

Way more than just a gimmicky bossa nova session - and a surprisingly great showcase for the inventive rhythms of the Brubeck group, and the sensitive alto work of Paul Desmond! The record's got a really different feel than some of Dave's other work for Columbia - in that the modernism is put slightly on the back burner - letting drummer Joe Morello snap out with some lightly gliding percussion that's a bit more straight ahead than usual, and which offers a unique take on the bossa groove. Paul Desmond's the real star of the set, though - and his alto steps out here with the best gentle presence of his later work for RCA and A&M - beautifully blown throughout, and with a tone that most other players would die for!

As one of the most loved jazz vocalists, modern jazz heroines, and prolific vocalists, Rosemary Clooney gives a very beautiful and feminine side to Brazilian jazz on Brazil, a sensitive musical feeling of 16 ripe standards. This wonderful collection is dedicated to Antonio Carlos Jobim, Frank Sinatra, and Nelson Riddle through her amazing ambience of sensitive phrasing, lovely nuance, and splendid rhythmic shadings. Rosemary Clooney is joined by the lovely Diana Krall on "Boy from Ipanema" in a stunning vocal duet accompanied by Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar. John Pizzarelli sings "Wave," with the light, airy brilliance of a light kept burning throughout the night, and duets with Clooney on "Desafinado," "One Note Samba," "Let Go," "Dindi," and the reprise of the title track, "Brazil." Together they bring a redefined sensitivity and captivation to these Brazilian standards through their excellent harmony and melodic concepts…

Airto's second album, and second and last release for the Buddah label, brought back largely the same crew that appeared on his debut record Natural Feelings (also reissued by Real Gone): vocalist (and wife) Flora Purim, composer and multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal, and bassist Ron Carter, with contributions from Dom Um Ramão (who later replaced Airto in Weather Report) and Severino De Oliveira a.k.a. Sivuca. Given Airto's connections to Miles Davis, Weather Report, and Return to Forever, Seeds on the Ground could easily get lumped into the jazz fusion category. But that would be a mistake.

Lisa Ono's new album, recorded in November 2025 at Onkio Haus in Tokyo, presents an intimate piano duo collection of beloved Antonio Carlos Jobim melodies performed with pianist and producer Masaki Hayashi, featuring Lisa Ono on vocals and guitar, Masaki Hayashi on piano, whistle and chorus, and guest musician Sadao Watanabe on alto saxophone for tracks 03, 07 and 12, creating a warm and improvisational reinterpretation of Jobim's masterpieces in celebration of his 100th birth anniversary in January 2027, with liner notes written by Haruki Murakami and marking Ono's first Jobim-focused release in 19 years as well as her first recording collaboration with Watanabe since their reunion at the April 2025 festival Tsukiji Jam following their original meeting in Sao Paulo when she was nine.