If you want to get an idea of the stardom of Maria Rita in Brazil and the rest of the Latin-American market, just think of Norah Jones’ success in America and Europe. Thanks to her eponymous debut album the singer became, almost over-night, the biggest star in Música Popular Brasileira, commonly known as MPB. Her success wasn’t completely out of the blue. For months people awaited, yearningly, the first CD of the daughter of two famous parents: singer Elis Regina, who died in 1982, and the influential producer, pianist, composer and arranger Camargo Mariano. And those of us who realize that Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento wrote the Latin Grammy Award winning opening track La Festa, will understand that they did everything to make Rita’s debut album a success. Rita’s tender voice is supported by nothing but acoustic instruments and her jazzy way of singing is brimming with deep, human feelings.
