Product Review

Onda Sonora, the 12th in the Red Hot Organization's series of AIDS-benefit compilations, effects a wildly successful marriage of current and traditional Portuguese and Brazilian styles performed by native stars and varied guests. Standouts include everything from a David Byrne-Caetano Veloso collaboration to the hip-hop-hard fusion of General D and Funk 'n Lata's "Sobi Esse Pano, Mano," from Brit-Brazilian trip-hoppers Smoke City's "O Cara Lindo (Mr. Gorgeous)" to a matchup of Nana Vasconcelos and Vinicius Cantuaria. A rhythmically insistent, soothing, and utterly entrancing set. --Rickey Wright