Marisa Monte - Mais (1991)

Marisa Monte, a very warm, charismatic, and vulnerable artist, turned out to be one of Brazil's top female vocalists of the 1990s. Mais proves that her popularity is well deserved. Most of the songs on this CD, which did a lot to establish her success, are quite memorable -- including the humorous "Diariamente," the charming "Rosa," and Caetano Veloso's playful "De Noite Na Cama." Drawing on both Brazilian and American influences, Monte is someone who, with the right exposure, could easily become as prominent in the U.S. as she is in Brazil. The thing that's kept this from happening is the assumption that English-speaking audiences won't be receptive to Portuguese lyrics. But whether or not one understands the lyrics, this is an album to savor.