Various ArtistsBlack Rio Vol. 2: Original Samba SoulReview

Seven years on from the first Black Rio compilation, here comes volume 2. Both discs document that period when the influence of US soul and funk percolated agreeably into MPB (Música Popular Brasileira, or Brazilian pop music), thus anticipating baile funk. While the first featured several familiar names, such as Jorge Ben, Trio Mocotó and Tim Maia, this disc seems aimed more at collectors, with none of the 18 acts having enjoyed much more than a cult following. Despite the lingering sensation of barrels being scraped, it's an enjoyable, if rather lightweight collection which, at 55 minutes, doesn't outstay its welcome and is well suited to sound-tracking summer parties.

The selections represent the fruits of DJ Cliffy's many hours spent scouring Rio's record shops for vintage vinyl. This may account for the occasionally murky sound on the likes of Marlene's Sinal Vermelho.

The number of acts with Anglophone names, some of whom (such as Cry Babies) actually sing in raggedy English, gives some idea of where their heads were at. Just as the tropicalistas of the previous decade drew on US/UK psychedelic rock, this 'movement' idolised the supercharged funk of James Brown, Blaxploitation-era Isaac Hayes, and so on.

Zeca do Trombone & Roberto Sax's Coluna Do Melo isn't exactly a spectacular opener, although it's perhaps here because it epitomises the combination of soulful brass, synthetic strings, and funky guitar with a samba undercurrent that typifies the genre. Also, it's one of three songs that mention 'bananeira', a capoeira move. The second is Emilio Santiago's agreeable version of the João Donato/Gilberto Gil song Bananeira, which many will know from Bebel Gilberto's. Then there's Avan Samba's Ibere, another highlight.

With its cricket-like police whistles, crisp samba percussion, slick female chorus and pumping horns, Edson Frederico E A Transa's Bobeira seems inexplicably hidden away towards the end. How much you enjoy the rest will depend on how funky you like your samba or how much samba you like in your soul. Super Som Lord's racing instrumental BR Samba seems to get the mix just right.