Ivan Lins - Awa Yio

This album reflects the seven-year international experience of Ivan Lins, with the careful production by Stewart Levine and Larry Williams. The thoughtful balance between Brazilian elements turned more palatable to international audiences through pop touches made it a big hit, the patriotic "Meu Pais." All lyrics in this album are from Vitor Martins (with a bit of Aldir Blanc), his longtime musical partner, and his business partner since the previous year when the label that released this and other Lins' albums, Velas. Lins' lyrics are all the way Brazilian, using regional expressions and praising the country's beauties. Most songs are quite rhythmic, using Caribbean grooves ("Ai Ai Ai Ai Ai"), samba ("Leva E Traz," a tribute to the unforgettable Elis Regina, with the valuable Brazilian seven-string violao by the great late Rafael Rabello), ballads ("Que Quer de Mim," "Meu Pais"), and Afro-pop ("Clareou," with a bright trumpet solo by South African Hugh Masekela). -- Alvaro Neder