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The concept behind ‘Sambistas’ is an interesting, if rather simple one. Gather together some of the biggest voices in samba (Seu Jorge, Soares, Rodriguez, Mello), add 40 crack musicians, who have been responsible for shaping the backbone of samba for the past fifty years — get them to perform the classics and then throw in two new compositions, including one by Seu Jorge.

As is often the result with such endeavours the whole doesn’t quite live up to the sum of its parts; yet, it gets close enough to please most. Rough voiced Rodriguez is always a pleasure to listen to and the sweet sound of Elza Soares, named Singer of the Millennium by the BBC, provides the perfect contrast.

The tracks don’t always flow easily from one to the next but it does offer the perfect soundtrack to watch girls/guys go by. It’s hard to go wrong with the classic ‘O Samba Me Cantou’, sung here by Luciana Mello, while the Afro-rhythm heavy ‘Batuque na Cozinha’ is another hghlight.