Tania Maria is one of Brazil’s major artists. She combines Brazilian rhythms with jazz harmonies resulting in music that that is both accessible and beautiful. INTIMIDADE is an intensely personal album but unlike other introspective music manages to maintain a sense of joy and optimism throughout. It’s a fine album.

The title track opens this collection in a gently swaying style backed by piano, bass and percussion. While the message revolves around intimacy, the vibe is upbeat and fun. Maria’s voice is smooth, sensual and very expressive, qualities that become even clearer on the next track, Chorinho Brasilero. This very traditional Brazilian music was based around the guitar, however, here Maria adds piano and percussion together with fabulous vocal harmonies. The next track E’ Too Gostoso Seu Moco has an even stronger jazz vibe with a characteristically strong melody and the bass dominating the song. It’s about togetherness; the joy of close relationships; and the song’s vibe reflects the joy of such relationships. It’s a superb track with a great finale. Next song Canto is a slower, more contemplative composition where she sings about leaving and coming back to Brazil (after a long absence). It’s emotionally charged and is explained by Maria: “In some ways, it’s like my own story, since I left Brazil 30 years ago and am now celebrating my homecoming with this album, through which I express some very intimate moments… I found the strength and courage to leave my city, and filled my trunk with dreams, with the hope that I was ready to grow intellectually, spiritually and emotionally – in other words, that I would have the strength of mind to be able to face anything, without lying to myself… It’s my favourite track on the album. There are several other standout tracks here including her very different version of the classic Besame Mucho with a superb piano accompaniment, and the upbeat Aye with lyrics describing seduction.

If you like Latin music this album is for you. It’s beautifully written and performed by Maria and her fabulous musicians, while covering the whole spectrum of emotional feelings. It’s also diversely paced and one of the best Latin albums I’ve heard in some time.

4.5/5