Karrin Allyson - Imagina: Songs Of Brazil (2008)

Grammy-nominated jazz singer Karrin Allyson is of the generation for whom Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell are as influential as Mose Allison and Abbey Lincoln. Allyson can scat-sing with the best of them but always remembers to invest herself in a song's meaning. IMAGINA is something of a departure for her, as it's all songs from Brazil sung in Portuguese and English. While some are established hits ("Desafinado"), many may be new to non-Brazilian audiences. Ace jazz vibraphonist Steve Nelson is part of this disc's triumph, his bright, brittle tone serving as a wonderful compliment to Allyson's skillful singing.

Personnel: Karrin Allyson (vocals, piano); Rod Fleeman (acoustic guitar, acoustic 6-string guitar); Gil Goldstein (accordion, piano); Steve Nelson (vibraphone, marimba); David Finck (acoustic bass); Todd Strait (drums); Michael Spiro (pandeiro, shaker, surdo, tambourine, percussion).