2008 two CD set. Rio de Janeiro has long been the cultural hub of Brazil. For over 400 years immigrants from all corners of this continental country have flocked here bringing their own mouth-watering musical traditions. In the early 20th Century, the African-Brazilian rhythms of Bahia mingled with Mardi Gras ballroom Polka from Europe to produce the swing of Samba and later on the swaying lullaby lilt of Bossa Nova came from the gentle guitar technique of Salvador guitarist Joao Gilberto; Disc One features classic examples of both these genres. Today Rio grooves to `Sambanovo" and `Nu-Bossa" as well as the new-tropical sounds of artists who are all collected together on Disc Two. 30 tracks. Nascente.