Bebel Gilberto

Another triumph for Brazil's premier songbird. Gilberto has never sounded more sure of herself than on her third album, interpreting a classy set of songs that allow her to show even more range and dynamism than usual. Gilberto's sound hinges on feeding Brazil's polyrhythmic voice through a cool electronic filter, and the result propels us to a musical netherworld where the breeze is always warm, the drinks cool, and the pace languid. That place may not exist, but as long as Gilberto's voice is coming through the speakers, you'll feel like you're there.