Paris Combo - Chez Nous

To continue the world music theme, today I bring you Paris Combo, which as their name suggests, they are based in Paris, France. They are an acoustic group that have an eclectic style, blending elements from the traditional French chanson, American jazz and swing, Roma music and North African music. This 5 member group is as culturally diverse as their music with two French members, vocalist Belle du Berry, drummer Francois Francois, Australian trumpeter Davis Lewis, Madagasgan bassist Mano Ranzanajato and Mediterranean guitarist Potzi.

Chez Nous is off their 2000 release, Living Room.

Eliane Elias - Day In Day Out

I fell in love with Eliane Elias' voice and jazz piano from the moment I first heard her. She originally trained as a classical pianist in her native Brazil, but grew up listening the jazz albums that her parents played at home. She started composing and, more notably, performing her own jazz pieces at seventeen.

Eventually landing in New York, she recorded with several notable jazz artists and in 1986 she became a successful band leader in her own right. In 1988 she was elected as "Best New Talent" by the JAZZIZ magazine poll of jazz critics.

Starting with her 1990 album "Eliane Elias Plays Jobim", she began to add her own vocals to her recordings. Her intimate, direct style of singing contrasts charmingly with her muscular piano solo work, which itself contrasts nicely to her gently driving stylings under her vocals.

Day In Day Out is off her excellent 2008 release Bossa Nova Stories.

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Diablo Rojo

Rodrigo y Gabriela (Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero) are an incredible guitar duo from Mexico. Somehow they ended up busking on the streets of Dublin, Ireland and were found by Damien Rice, who asked them to accompany him on tour.
They have a unique style which is parts bossa nova, flamenco and Mexican folk using the guitar for lead, rhythm and percussion. Diablo Rojo of their self-titled album is perfect example where you can hear Gabriela playing rhythm and percussion at the same time. To get a true feeling of how they play, check out their live performances on their web site.

Nouvelle Vague - Dance With Me

Nouvelle Vague means "new wave" in English and "bossa nova" in Portuguese and it's name neatly sums up the group's concept: remaking classic new wave singles with a Brazilian pop twist. Dance With Me off their Bande à Part album is a remake of the Lords of the New Church new wave classic. If you have the chance, check out their self titled debut album. You won't be disappointed.