The Girl From Ipanema - 1965

This 1965 video shows Brazilian singer/composer Tom Jobim singing his classic "Girl From Ipanema" alongside American pop singer Andy Williams. Besides the obvious retro charm of Andy Williams' "Lost In Space" sweater this is just a joy to watch and listen to. I love all these mellow Bossa Nova rhythms and being Brazilian-born myself it also brings back some great childhood flashbacks... Love it!

Vanessa da Mata @ Canecão

Brazilian singer Vanessa da Mata is one talented & gorgeous woman. I was at Canecão watching her new concert this Sunday night with my "special friend" A and we had a great time. I only knew three or four of her songs before the concert, stuff I hear on the radio or at Galeria Cafe, here in Rio, but her repertoire was flawless. She is 31 years-old, hails from Mato Grosso and her third album "Sim" has just been released. Besides singing she is also an accomplished composer, having penned hits for singers Maria Bethânia and Ana Carolina. Her hits include "Não Me Deixe Só" and "Ai ai ai..." and I often catch myself humming them endlessly. Her current hit in the Brazilian radios is the gorgeous ballad "Boa Sorte/Good Luck", a beautiful partnership with Ben Harper. The song was actually done over a phonecall, with Ben Harpen in Los Angeles and Vanessa in Brazil. She sang it to him on the phone, and with a translation in hand, he composed the melody. Watch their video below.

Antonia's US Movie Debut

This week marks the US distribution debut of the Brazilian movie "Antonia" and it also coincides with the start, this Friday, of the second season of the TV show that inspired the flick.

The movie by director Tata Amaral offers a poetic look at such difficult issues of violence, racism, and sexism in contemporary Brazil with this vibrant and uplifting tale of fourfemale rappers straining to make a name for themselves while performing on the outskirts of São Paolo. Preta (Negra Li), Mayah (Quelynah), Barbarah (Leilah Moreno) and Lena (Cindy) provide back-up vocals for a popular rap act, yet despite their success with the group, the talented female singers know well that they have what it takes to strike out on their own. Since we're not talking Hollywood here but rather the "Third World" and "our" far more ideologically candid approach to cinema, all sorts of female-specific messy real life issues run interference on their creative aspirations, including pregnancy, single motherhood, abortion and compulsive machista womanizing. Also of interest, is that these Brazilian females are actual aspiring performers, which lends additional grit, energy and authenticity to the story.