Various: Think Global: Acoustic Brazil

The front cover promises rambunctious carnivale, but the blurb on the back is all about “lilting melodies … enchanting acoustic grooves … late-night tracks.” Trust the blurb. The front cover doesn’t know what it’s talking about. Once again, the people behind Think Global have walked the thin line between ethnic authenticity and easy-listening and managed to keep their balance. Marcos Sacramento sings as if he’s stroking you and smiling, while the trumpets in Casuarina’s “Pot-Pourri” medley are emphatic yet genial, like the nudges of benevolent dolphins. Gabriel Moura’s samba-funk is sexy without being pushy. He’s making a comradely suggestion, not trying to hump your leg. Like last year’s Think Global: Women of Africa, Acoustic Brazil is a beginner’s disc that wouldn’t offend a more experienced listener. It assumes unfamiliarity without using it as an excuse to fob the newcomer off with second-rate junk. Cough. Petrol Records. Cough.