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International man of mystery, Bowie-esque endeavors and star turning film roles, Seu Jorge returns with America Brasil.

Jorge hit the international radar as good guy Knockout Ned in 2002's volatile, multi-Academy Award nominated film City Of God. Who knew Jorge could also croon? Jorge reappeared to U.S. audiences as both actor and soundtrack artist in Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic (starring Bill Murray and Owen Wilson). He followed up his growing success by undertaking the biggest and most successful tour of the U.K. ever by a Brazilian musician in 2006, alongside Radio 1 DJ and long-time Jorge supporter, Gilles Peterson.

Jorge's The Life Aquatic Sessions--where he reinterpreted the David Bowie songbook with a bossa nova slant--prompted the Thin White Duke to comment: "Had Seu Jorge not recorded my songs acoustically in Portuguese I would never have heard this new level of beauty which he has imbued them with."

Now Jorge returns with América Brasil, his first album of original material since "Cru" in early 2005. The América Brasil lineup includes the same band that performed at London's Royal Festival Hall, featuring a large ensemble of acoustic guitar, cavaquinho, percussion, bass, keyboards, violin, harmonica, and drums with Jorge on occasional electric guitar and flute.

"The instrumentation is a joke on U.S. culture," Jorge has said. "Brazil grew up with European influences principally from Portugal but is more influenced now by US. Now we want to be winners like Americans.

"The U.S. is very interested in Brazil now as an area for American expansion and investment and Brazil is now ready for this. There will be more jobs, and improved infrastructure if America stops making wars and starts investing."

"Cru was international," continues, regarding his third album. "America Brasil is for the Brazilian audience who wanted some traditional samba, samba rock, ballads, and gafiera to dance to and enjoy at weekend barbecues."

Jorge also appears, as an actor this time, in the forthcoming British film The Escapist, alongside an all-star cast including Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes and Liam Cunningham. Meanwhile, enjoy quintessential Seu Jorge like "America Do Norte," "Burguesinha," and "Mariana."

Seu Jorge
"América Do Norte" (mp3)
from "America Brasil O Disco"
(Discos Como No)

More On This Album

Seu Jorge
"Burguesinha" (mp3)
from "America Brasil O Disco"
(Discos Como No)

More On This Album

Seu Jorge
"Mariana" (mp3)
from "America Brasil O Disco"
(Discos Como No)

More On This Album

Toninho Horta & Orquestra Fantasma's Terra dos Pássaros: "Toninho Horta's first solo album, Terra dos Pássaros, was born a classic and became a cult, showcasing his great talents as composer, arranger, guitarist, and singer. A masterpiece of Brazilian music, it is re-released to commemorate his 60th birthday."

"Serenade"

"Aquelas Coisas Todas"