In a day and age when most musical artists become prisoners of stilted genre-defining labels, Argentinean Florencia Ruiz eschews categorization. On her first U.S. release Luz de La Noche (Light of the Night), a studio recording from Adventure Music, Ruiz blends rock, jazz, and MPB elements to forge a truly original sound. Be forewarned: If you were expecting tango nouveau, then you're on the wrong train.

 In a day and age when most musical artists become prisoners of stilted genre-defining labels, Argentinean Florencia Ruiz eschews categorization. On her first U.S. release Luz de La Noche (Light of the Night), a studio recording from Adventure Music, Ruiz blends rock, jazz, and MPB elements to forge a truly original sound. Be forewarned: If you were expecting tango nouveau, then you're on the wrong train.

Any duet album featuring Brazilian string masters Yamandu Costa and Hamilton de Holanda is worth taking note, and for enthusiasts who have been following these two consummate instrumentalists, the 2008 São Paulo recording "Live!" on Adventure Music represents another gem to add to the Brazilian duet canon.

Brazilian Jovino Santos Neto allows us to glimpse the contemplative side of the piano maestro on his latest double-CD of duets, Veja O Som (See The Sound), featuring 20 tracks recorded in both the U.S. and in Brazil. However, the samba, so close to JSN’s heart, provides the rhythmic pulse on the album. The sheer number of talented guests is exhaustive, and any real devotee of jazz would be remiss not to check it out. Monica Salmaso, Joyce Mareno, Paquito D’Rivera, David Sanchez, Bill Frisell, Ai

On her debut CD No Balanço do Mar, Portuguese-born Catarina dos Santos strives to combine the best sounds of the African diaspora, most notably Brazil and Cape …