Album: Vinicius Canuaria & Bill Frisell, Lagrimas Mexicanas (Naive)

This dream-team amalgam of Brazilian singer-songwriter Cantuaria with genius-guitarist Frisell makes music that's as close to Ry Cooder as it is to jazz.

Over 10 songs, intensely worked acoustic soundscapes follow a kind of Latin cowboy style that's extremely winning. Both men compose and play guitar, with Cantuaria, who drummed with Caetano Veloso, adding percussion as well as vocals, and Frisell using looping gizmos. "Lagrimas de Amor" is particularly sublime.