Richard Boukas/Jovino Santos Neto: Balaio

Were it not for small, independent labels like the Brazilian music-oriented Malandro (based in Cincinnati, of all places) deserving artists like guitarist Richard Boukas and pianist Jovino Santos Neto might not have much opportunity to craft records like this. Neto is a Brazilian based in Seattle, an acolyte of the wondrous Hermeto Pascoal, with whom he worked extensively prior to relocating to the States. Boukas is a New York-based, largely acoustic guitarist who fell head-over-heels for Brazilian music years ago and hasn’t looked back. An educator at the New School in the jazz department, he too is deep under the spell of Pascoal.