Album of the day: Red Hot & Rio 2

I honestly don't know how many albums the Red Hot Organization has released released at this point.  What I do know is that when I see one it's worth snatching up.  Red Hot & Rio 2 is proving to be the perfect soundtrack to the summer.  With it's easy, breezy homage to the Brazilian music popularized during the 60s, it's a beautiful mix of old and new.  Samba, bossanova and Caribbean beats are reinterpreted by classic artists (Bebel Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, and David Byrne) alongside new players of indie rock (Beck, Beirut, and Of Montreal). Sue Jorge and Beck come together for a new take on Beck's "Tropicalia," provided a sound you didn't realize the song was missing.  Caetano Veloso (personally my favorite of the great tropicália  era voices) not only lends his voice, but two of songs are recorded by other artists.  Beirut's version of “O Leãozinho” is both haunting and beautiful, with the band's gypsy influence.  Other stand-outs on the album are Quadron's "Samba De Verao," Alice Smith & Aloe Blacc various versions of "Baby,"  and the collaboration of Apollo Nove and Toshiyuki Yasuda featuring Fernanda Takai and Moreno Veloso on "Agua de Marco."  

Red Hot & Rio 2 showcases the variety of Brazilian music, hitting the temperament of summer perfectly.