Great Noise

Marisa Monte is one of the great female vocalists to emerge from MPB (Brazilian popular music), and this part-studio, part-live offering goes a long way in capturing all of the facets of her style, from the softer tones of "Blanco" to a rhythmic, energetic cover of George Harrison's "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)." Monte is nothing if not eclectic, leaping from Caetano Veloso's wonderful "De Noite Na Cama" to the '50s Brazilian standard "O Xote das Meninas." Sympathetic production from longtime collaborator Arto Lindsay adds a great deal, but at the end of the day it's Monte's voice and powerful personality that are stamped all over this disc. The 11 live tracks are particular standouts because of the relentless drive behind them. Both sexy and sensual, Monte never needs to belt it out; her slinkiness is all that's needed to keep things purring along. A true star. --Chris Nickson