By Robin Denselow

"Ever since the glory days of Bossa Nova, Brazilian music has been something of a battleground. On one side, there have been pleasantly easy-going samba stars such as the massively successful Maria Rita; on the other the experimental tradition of Tropicalia, the Mangue Bit movement, or the electronica of São Paulo's Suba. Céu is remarkable for the way she has brought all the strands of her country's music together in a glorious new fusion. Her songs are often breathy, laid-back and sensual, but her breezy vocals are matched by often startlingly brave and adventurous arrangements. She starts with a simple, charming song backed by minimalist cavaquinho, then eases into tracks that involve funky and inventive use of electronica or elaborate brass arrangements. So the charming Ponteiro matches a sturdy melody against quirky organ work, the witty Papa (her one song in English) is cleverly dressed up in a jazzy setting, and the cool, drifting Comadi matches her fine vocals against a slinky bass line and cool keyboards. This is the finest Brazilian album of the year."