[UP digital exclusive - for download only]

Brazilian (but London-based) singer, songwriter and bandleader Vasconcelos launches a new line-up with this glossily produced but fresh-sounding collection of mainly original tracks - sung in both Portuguese and English. Vasconcelos jokes that she has accidentally acquired 'rock chick' status since guesting alongside (ex-Jam) guitarist Paul Weller on Robert Wyatt's recent Comicopera. Wyatt (see also Phil Manzanera's The Unknown Zone) repays the compliment here, singing on two of his own songs: 'Out Of The Doldrums' and the glorious 'Still In The Dark'. Hih is a delicious album that avoids the clichés of Brazilian pop while remaining entirely accessible.