Gaita na Fábrica: Sounds from the Squeezebox Factory

The fábrica – as in factory – of the title refers to a physical space in Porto Alegre where Borghetti is developing a new cultural project for children and young adults. Over a dozen tracks, the Brazilian accordion virtuoso and his three sidekicks deliver an intimate round of subtropical tunes with the quiet confidence and understated intelligence of old friends. Deeply influenced by jazz, the quartet allows each musician plenty of room to express themselves, with Pedrinho Figueiredo's flute-playing almost as prominent as the diatonic accordion on several tracks.

Borghetti's house-style is always close to the dance rhythms of his native southern Brazil, and there's a lot of wit and pure joy in these arrangements. More influenced by the Brazilian composer Pixinguinha – a multi-instrumentalist from Rio who revitalised choro music – than any other of his countrymen, Borghetti's work is a celebration as much as an education. Only on a version of the Mercedes Sosa standard ‘Alfonsina y el Mar’ does he explore the more plangent potential of his instrument. A gentle, reflective album born from a fantastically worthwhile project.