Quite distant from the mass-market mentality of the United States pop music industry in more ways than one, the MPB field has been and continues to be ripe with beautiful and lively music, with Maria Rita's debut album standing tall as an exemplary document of the sort of music blossoming in America's other hemisphere. This beautiful and beautiful-sounding young lady is the daughter of one of Brazil's most (if not the most) legendary vocalists, the late Elis Regina, and if that alone weren't enough to make her a star-in-waiting, her father is Cesar Camargo Mariano, one of the country's top arrangers, producers, and pianists, and her namesake is Rita Lee, yet another MPB legend. Add to that a close musical partnership with Milton Nascimento, who pens A Festa, the ear-grabbing opening track of her album, and you can see why the MPB world was eagerly awaiting her recording debut. And what an album it is, from beginning to end a joyful listening experience with no low points whatsoever and a pair of absolutely astonishing high points, the aforementioned A Festa (The Party) and the standout, mid-album bossa nova, Cara Valente (Brave Face).
