ELIZABETH Vinyl & CDs

Review: The 12th release on Mr. Bongo's signature 45s series saw a reissue of two foundational releases in Brazil's modern popular music category; now the record hears a second round, fresh again off the master metal lacquer. On the A, we hear Brazilian samba luminary Elza Soares covering Jorge Ben's classic 'Mas Que Nada' - albeit with a hoarser vocal tone, such was Soares' signature voice, one which only led to a whopping 34-album career. B-sider Elizabeth, by contrast, upholds a mystery; the artist was nicknamed "Gatinha do Mato" ("jungle cat"), and recorded 'Vou Falar-Lhe Francamente' at some indeterminate point in 1960s Sao Paolo, when and where Brazilian local styles blended with funk and rock.