Clara Moreno: Meu Samba Torto

Clara Moreno is the daughter of Brazilian musical stalwarts Joyce and Nelson Angelo. Her style is smooth jazz pure and simple with a healthy touch of bossa nova thrown in for good measure. Songs like the light, breezy but warm “Litoranea” and the playful, relaxing and at times hip-shaking “Sabe Quem?” make the album solid. Yet a tune such as “Sei La” and the sexy, Feist-like “Moca Flor” are obvious highlights. Moreno also shines during the infectious title track and equally pleasing “Morena Boca De Ouro” that has her scatting off of the rather rudimentary guitar licks. The album, which you could put on basically at any time of the day to relax, has no low points from start to finish as Moreno nails each song with the passion and verve it deserves. Moreno is at her best though when things go down a jazz path during the sweet “Copacabana”. The aptly titled “Tenderly” brings Diana Krall to mind rounds out a very strong, soothing record.