Macunaíma Ópera Tupi

Have you ever wanted to be something else? Listen to this masterpiece and be transformed, as you experience a close encounter with the beautiful, mysterious soul of Brazil. This album is pan-music, containing a bit of everything, defying genre... but that's to be expected since it's based on the narrative of Macunaíma, a shapeshifter who represents pan-Brazilian culture.

Meh. Neither here nor there. Has some interesting parts and fragments, like the trumpet playing in Na Beira do Uaricoera, the 10-minute ambient laced Latin jazz, and the overall trip-hop feel it goes for in the album, but even that doesn't help that most of the album is forgettable and goes over my head.

Or maybe it's the mystery factor doing its job. If that's the case, then it's doing a mighty fine job of keeping the curious listener trying to uncover more, and the average one at bay.