International star Bebel Gilberto's tracks move from the lush and dreamy "Simplesmente" to the mid-tempo "Cada Beijo," the latter remixed by Thievery Corporation. DJ Dolores' two versions of "Trancelim de Marfim" feature vocals by the seductive Isaar and have a jazzy undercurrent. Bossacucanova also brings a feel for classic, samba-inflected jazz to "Samba Da Minha Terra" and "Essa Moca Ta Diferente." The globetrotting Zuco 103 has perfected an airy, electro-pop mix of pan-global dance music that's as sticky as melting ice cream on a hot day in Sao Paulo. Apollo Nove mixes up steel guitars, murmured vocals and bubbling electronics into a sexy, nocturnal gumbo. Cibelle simply exudes sex and desire on "Meu Amor" and "Esplendor."
As cheerful and sunny as a Hawaiian shirt, The Now Sound of Brazil 2 exudes a permanent holiday feel of endless summer and candy-flavored cocktails. Why worry, why work? Every day feels like a holiday in these artists' musical version of modern Brazil.
