Ma is joined by a septet of mostly Latin American performers, two of whom also double as composers: composer/clarinettist Paquito d'Rivera, singer/guitarist Rosa Passos, guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad, Ma's long time accompanist at the piano Kathryn Stott, and a bassist and percussionist.

Listen to one of my favorite tracks, the lovely Menino, and you wil hear that Ma brings real sensibility to this music. Occasionally his performance reveals that he isn't as familiar with the style as d'Rivera or the others--he tends, for example, not to bend pitches but approach them as his Classical training would have--but this is no significant flaw, as the qualities of line and rhythm he does bring to the music compensate. Those who complain that Obrigado Brazil isn't truly Brazilian music, that it's perhaps over-refined miss the point entirely, and are advised to look elsewhere for their entertainment. Certainly if "authentic" folk music is what listeners are after, they won't find it here. But they will find wonderful music, played with love and dedication by superb musicians, and well worth hearing.

Now, to compare the studio version with the live concert recording. The liner notes of Obrigado Brazil Live in Concert claim that the energy of a live performance makes the works the two CDs share sound totally different, with the implication that live is better, but I can't agree. There are subtle variations, to be sure-for example one of the pieces has much more percussion in the studio version, and even the ambience of the studio recording is audibly different from the live concert-but these aren't wild distinctions and certainly not necessarily improvements. The energy of a live concert may well be counterbalanced by the control of a studio version. It's surely a matter of taste. Personally I usually prefer studio recordings to live. Here, though, the biggest difference is not in the comparisons of the pieces that are on both CDs, but on the contrasting approaches of the overall programme. The studio version of Obgriado Brazil is more introspective and melancholy; the concert recording has more fast, joyful works and moves beyond Brazil for its sources. In this particular case, I prefer the live concert material for the most part. The two final pieces of the studio recording are glorious, though, and I wouldn't want to miss them by only purchasing the live recording. I'm totally taken by the joyous exhuberance of the penultimate track, Brasileirinho, and the crazed final track, Salvador, with its wild improvisation. Admittedly, what I prize many listeners may despise--so much so that the marketers label this last a "bonus track". And I'm not so much a Bossa Nova fan, but if you are, I think the studio CD leans more in that general direction. Whether to buy one or the other, or even both, will surely be a matter of personal taste. But certainly, do buy one--you're almost guaranteed to enjoy it!

Usually, Brazilian music is inviting - the performances are emotionally honest, open, and warm. But, I can't find that vitality on many of Obrigado Brazil's songs. The artists' performances are mechanical. Although they are technically sound because they play all the correct notes, they are unconvincing because emotionally they are dry, inhibited, and uninspired. Even renown Brazilian singer Rosa Passos's voice failed to inspire on Jobim's classic "Chega de Saudade."

I'm surprised -- and then not surprised - - at the four or five star ratings for this bland album. I realize there are many who are not well aquainted with the Brazilian standards - - or other artists' interpretations of these classics. For me, the classics never get old as long as the artist's interpretation is well-done and done with vitality.

I've heard much better interpretations. If you're a fan of Yo Yo Ma or Rossa Passos, then I probably would add this to complete my collection. Bu if you're looking for emotionally honest "classical" performances - - I'd try Morelenbaum(squared) and Ryuichi Sakamoto's tribute to Composer Antonio Carlos Jobim's "A Day in New York" which is much, much better than Obrigado Brazil. They perform the standards not only with precision, but with alegria(happiness).