AMG Review of Uma Batida Diferente

Rick Anderson
All Music Guide

The Brazilian trio Bossacucanova has been taking the smooth, jazzy sound of bossa nova and muscling it up with breakbeats, turntablism, and electronica since they first hit the international dance music scene in 1999. Their third album isn't really a departure from their previous work (album title notwithstanding, the beats are pretty much the same), but it does represent a continued refinement of their approach. Bass player Márcio Menescal brings his father, the legendary producer and guitarist Roberto Menescal, on board yet again to lend his delicious licks and slinky filigrees to the proceedings, and other guests include singer Marcos Valle and Bossacucanova's labelmates Zuco 103, whose contribution on "Samba da Minha Terra" is one of the album's highlights. But the real star of the show is Brazilian-American singer Cris Delanno, whose interpretations of "Onde Anda Meu Amor" and the Antonio Carlos Jobim song "Aguas de Março" have a special, bittersweet appeal. Really, though, there isn't a weak track on this wonderful record. Very highly recommended.