Meu Samba Torto

Clara Moreno is no stranger to the bossa nova genre, so it comes as no surprise that she once again shines on this mellow, summery and breezy collection of songs. From the opening notes of "Litorânea" that also features Celso Fonseca, Moreno's delicate delivery complements the rather intricate guitar work perfectly. Meanwhile, the inviting and infectious "Sabe Quem?" will have most swaying their hips if not their bodies. The artist exudes in the material and well she should, for there is rarely a wrong turn during the early portion of the album, even during the softer, soothing "Sei La." Yet as strong as these songs are, the record reaches another level with the tender, fragile lullaby "Moca Flor" that has a dreamy, hypnotic and retro quality to it while "Bahia com H" sounds as if it's a distant cousin of Feist's "Mushaboom." However, things hit a bit of a wall during the rather average "Mon Manege a Moi" as Moreno resembles some Parisian café chanteuse. But she atones for this effort with the haunting and powerful jazzy number "Copacabana" and the definitive title track which seems to best describe the album. The hushed, romantic and sensual "Ela Vai Pro Mar" is another charming affair as is the closing and aptly titled "Tenderly."