A part of Jazz that I love is the Bossa Nova, literally "New Trend" which I won't even begin to go into the maticulous details of it's origins or it's 60s wave of immense popularity growth here in the U.S.  Recently I was working on  a television show and one of our audience guests was Brazillian there with his mother.  I would name a popular Bossa favorite and she would sing it.  It was a 20 minute dream come true.  One of the reasons why I love it so much is because it tells not only stories of love, but of culture simply because it's birth is synonymous with the culture in which is "derived" from.  I could go one for days.  

There are so many awesome new artists and bands out there but I recently re-discovered the solace vocals of Luciana Souza after digging around in search for something good.  She is no lightweight.  She's been nominated 3 times for a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocalist and continues to do work with renowned Jazz musicians.  Her 7th album, "The New Bossa Nova" is her first from The Verve record label and probably one of her most interesting.  It's definitely good but this seems to be an unfamiliar approach from Souza.  The album has two originals and then several generally more jazz classic songs that are pushed with a Bossa twist.  Souza also used a full band with her that takes on the task of re-creating classics and pop songs.  It's something old but different.  These pop-bossa-remakes of Elliot Smith, Sting, Joni Mitchell and others are awesome for any Bossa Nova lover.  

The album came out 3 weeks ago!  I just got my copy today.  If you like what you hear below, go out and get it.  My favorite song on this album is her re-make of "Aguas de Marco" by the late legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim.  Again, it's just good stuff.  

Alright that's all for me, I'm heading out of the office with this fresh peach green tea.  You gotta get some!  Oh yea we also got a new mp3 player thanks to the genius of our new friend Dan Kantor.  Also check out this wonderful review/article written by our friend Ernest which goes into detail about the Braziliam music documentary film "Moro No Brasil."