Gilberto Gil - Expresso 2222 (2008)

Originally released in 1972, Expresso 2222 is Gil's first release since returning to Brazil after a two year political exile and the joy is palpable within the grooves. Moving away from the psychedelic tone of his late '60s recordings, Expresso 2222 has a funky and jazzy feel that blends perfectly with Gil's percussive guitar work and soulful vocal delivery. More even and less experimental than previous recordings this album is still an equal to those that came before in both its imaginative arrangements and the seamless blend of styles that defined the Tropicalia movement. This is one of Gil's last masterworks, a record that many consider to be his best.