New albums include international talents

We're going global, with the best of the new music releases.

A TRIP TO BRAZIL: "Red Hot + Rio 2" (eOne, A) works well on multiple levels - first as an introduction to worthy Brazilian talents (Caetano Veloso and Bebel Gilberto the most famous) and music, with a focus on the late 1960s Tropicalia movement steeped in cultural/political dissent. The balmy bossa novas of disc one give license to chill, edgier productions on the second platter rouse the party spirits. The set also functions as a hands-across-the-water thing, creatively connecting Brazilians to stateside (and world) talents like John Legend, Beck, David Byrne, Of Montreal and Eugene Hutz (Gogol Bordello). And please to note, your investment benefits HIV/AIDs charities.

JAH-FRICAN DELIGHTS: Youssou N'Dour, "Dakar-Kingston" (Emarcy, B+) finds the keening Senegalese singer/songwriter going the Pan-African unity route - merging his native mbalax music with Jamaican reggae grooves. N'Dour also dares more English lyrics (along with French and Senegalese) than usual, starting with the song-title quoting tribute to reggae master (Bob) "Marley" (helped out by Mutabaruka), and capping with the giant's last masterpiece "Redemption Song" though done here in a poppier fashion that avoids comparison. Former Marley keyboardist Tyrone Downie, female singer Ayo, Morgan Heritage and rapper Patrice also participate. N'Dour has been criticized for some past crossover efforts, but this time his aim seems true.

CUBAN SPICE: All the world identifies band leader/percussionist Mongo Santamaria to his stomping Latin Jazz smash "Watermelon Man." Now "Jose Rizo's Mongorama"(Saungu, A-) illuminates Mongo's roots in charanga, a more lilting, though ever danceable style of Cuban music that the bandleader opened up to jazzier improvisations with his up-front blending of flute, violin and saxophone over a cooking rhythm section. A longtime West Coast DJ, Rizo fleshes out this labor of love with a terrific cast of players and singers, including M.S. band alum Hubert Laws (flute) and Justo Almario (sax).