Clube da Esquina

This album's youthful, multiracial cover photo matches the music's freshness and vitality. Combining Brazilian folk and pop with jazz, rock, and R&B, these tracks are as progressive as Rio's earlier Tropicália scene, but with an earthier, organic feel. Milton Nascimento's "San Vicente" has the playful melodicism of Ram-era Paul McCartney, while Lô Borges' "O Trem Azul" feels like Crosby, Stills & Nash on a bossa nova trip. Eumir Deodato's dreamy string arrangement adds sophistication to the languid, wordless vocals and acoustic guitar of the title track.