Brazilian Surprises : “BRAZIL CLASSICS 1: BELEZA TROPICAL”

Fly/Sire: ***

Given that this overview of Brazilian popular music was put together by David Byrne, you know not to expect 50 minutes of “The Girl From Ipanema.” But even with that in mind, there are some startling surprises here: a crude blues guitar riff that propels Jorge Ben’s opening “Ponta de Lanca Africano (Urbabarauma)” could have come from an old Chess record; selections that reflect influence from the likes of Genesis and Jethro Tull; the psychedelic sitar in the closing “Terra” by Caetano Veloso.

It’s Byrne’s ear for the unexpected that makes this a voyage of discovery on par with such African samplers as the terrific “Indestructible Beat of Soweto.” On the whole, the selections shift from folky to tribal to romantic, exposing the same roots that make up the lovely Brazilian Portuguese language they are sung in (a mix of Portuguese with African and South American tribal languages), linked primarily by the lilting melodies and rhythms.

The only flaw is that the album is made up entirely of songs recorded between 1971 and 1984, thus giving few clues as to the state of Brazilian pop today. However, with many Brazilian recordings being released in the U.S. these days--including the work of Milton Nascimento and Gilberto Gil, two of the better known artists represented here--anyone intrigued by this taste has plenty of opportunities for further explorations.