Vivian Steele

One of the greatest Brazilian percussionists working today, Cyro Baptista has worked closely with many of the world's most acclaimed musicians including Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, Nana Vasconcelos, Medeski Martin & Wood, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Laurie Anderson and countless others. His newest band Banquet of the Spirits is augmented here by an array of his most distinguished musical associates in a delightful program of experimental Brazilian pop songs. Another wonderful album from this master songwriter and percussionist, the driving force of Beat the Donkey, Vira Loucos and so much more.

This set collects two of the Chi-Lites' later-era LPs, 1976’s "Happy Being Lonely" and 1977’s "The Fantastic Chi-Lites", on a single disc. The group was pretty much past its sell-by date at this point and beset with frequent personnel changes, although both of these albums are surprisingly pleasant and poignant at points even if they didn’t yield any big hits.