Album: Vinicius Cantuaria, Samba Carioca (Naive)

Produced once more by his New York neighbour Arto Lindsay, Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist Cantuaria's latest album – launched with a concert at London's Barbican on Tuesday – returns to the laid-back, drifting samba-jazz with which he made his name.

For those yet to claim an aquaintance, Cantuaria is a class act whose gentle songs (in Portuguese) are set to magical soundscapes of considerable poetic appeal. Guests include US stars Bill Frisell and Brad Mehldau alongside the outstanding drummer Paulo Braga.