Zélia Duncan - Zélia Duncan (1994)

Zélia Duncan is an extremely successful pop singer from a newer generation in Brazil. Her stronger characteristic is her contralto timbre. Exploring several urban contemporary rhythms -- no Brazilian music -- she put almost all lyrics in this album's songs, which were mostly written by her partner Christiaan Oyens. Ranging from reggae to Dire Straits-inspired ballads, along with hip-hop and blues, she evidences a crush for American folk through some signals such as Oyens' mandolin playing (strumming à la American, when mandolin tradition in Brazil demands soloing and never strummed chords. She also plays the mandolin in that style).