Meus Quintais

Although she was a key player in the nascent tropicália movement, Maria Bethânia Viana Telles Veloso trod a more conventional musical path than her big brother Caetano after the siblings moved from Salvador to Rio. Caetano experimented with music, drugs and Brazil's political and cultural consciousness – a trajectory that led him to exile in London. Bethânia forged a career as an interpreter, using her rich, resonant voice to showcase the work of emerging and established Brazilian singer-songwriters, few of whom rocked the boat. By the mid-70s she had become one of Brazil's most popular recording artists. Today she's achieved more than 25 million sales.

Her formula has changed little over her 47 years as a singer. Meus Quintais sees her singing more of her favourite songs, thankfully accompanied just by a backing band (too many of Bethânia's records are spoilt by a wash of swirling, syrupy strings). Many of the songs are from Bethânia's native Bahia, and they include Dori Caymmi's ‘Alguma Voz’ and Roque Ferreira's ‘Candeeiro Velho’. Bethânia has never been one for shocks or surprises and Meus Quintais delivers what her legions of fans have come to expect – a collection of beautifully sung, beautifully crafted songs.