Italian singer Mafalda Minnozzi’s alluring voice has a beautiful, pleasant tone as she digs into the Portuguese lyrics from a repertoire that emphasizes works of Antonio Carlos Jobim. With considerable passion and personality, she opens with “A Felicidade,” arranged with more tempo and energy than we often hear the selection.  Mafalda can take a fairly standard “Triste” or “Chega de Saudade” and convey excitement and emotion. She also imparts her distinctive style to songs from more contemporary composers Toninho Horta (“Mochidade”), Filo Machado (“Jogral”) and Chico Buarque (“Morro Dios Irmaos”). With the able assistance of arranger and guitarist Paul Ricci, Mafalda wisely reworks and interprets arrangements in fresh ways that still respect traditions. The result is a compelling set that also maintains a certain amount of rustic purity that’s at the heart of bossa. “Un Altro Addio (Mais Um Adeus)” is sung in Italian, and she closes with poignant vocalizing in English on Jobim’s “Dindi.” This album truly is a sensory experience with Mafalda’s incandescent vocals evoking tranquil feelings, pleasant sights and comforting sounds.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)