Os Sonhos Mais Lindos

Released in Brazil in conjunction with a television ad campaign, this anthology taken from the ill-fated Brazilian superstar's PolyGram (now Universal) catalog comes with no documentation whatsoever, other than titles, approximate years of the recordings, and untranslated Portuguese lyrics. A pity for North American listeners, for the disc covers a lot of material that never received much exposure here, with Regina's clear high voice occasionally giving way to a earthy lower range. There is a bossa nova treatment of vintage Jobim ("So Tinha de Ser Com Voce"), rapid-fire Gilberto Gil ("Amor Ate O Fim"), hoary standards like "Fascinacao" (Fascination), and "Aquarela do Brasil," a wonderfully intimate treatment of Milton Nascimento's early "Morro Velho" backed just by a guitar and a cello. Regina does a lounge-like rendition of "These Are the Songs" in English, with the wildly vibrating voice of composer Tim Maia offering a bizarre response. Also, Jobim's "How Insensitive" is crooned in English, with a string-laden pop arrangement. ~ Richard S. Ginell, Rovi