I went on another CD spree on the weekend. No time to input everything, but there were a few things!

Compilation: 'Brazilica' (CD; Talkin Loud; 1964-1978)
Show Details

I had volume 2. I had to get volume 1. I'm the kind of person that marketing people dream about. It's actually pretty good, although some of the tracks are now very familiar (e.g. 'crickets sing for anamaria' by Marcos Valle and 'mas que nada' by Jorge Ben).

UPDATE. My, this compilation is really rather good.

As I said, there's a lot of stuff on here that I had already, but the other stuff is exceptionally interesting, with some very cool and rather strange/jazzy chord progressions.

Here is a track listing:

Sergio Mendez & Brazil '77 - After Sunrise (3:08)
Tamba Trio - Barumba (2:49)
Dom Um - Birimbau (2:41)
Milton Nascimento - Vera Cruz (3:09)
Gilberto Gil - Roda (2:40)
Meirelles E Os Copa 5 - Solo (1:41)
Marcos Valle - Crickets Sing For Anamaria (2:08)
Baden Powell - Blues A Volente (8:54)
Joyce - Adam Adam (2:00)
Elis Regina - Tereza Sabe Sambar (3:29)
Tamba Trio - Tamba (2:41)
Sergio Mendez & Brazil '77 - Zanzibar (5:03)
Edu Lobo - Upa Neguinho (2:17)
Jorge Ben - Mas Que Nada (2:58)
Joao Donato - Tudo Tom (3:20)
Marcos Resende & Index - Vidigal (4:58)

Sparklehorse: 'It's a Wonderful Life' (CD; Capitol; 2001)
Show Details

I finally found this album used. Do you think perhaps I'm a cheapskate? It seems pretty good. I have a strong, but undeveloped interest in the band. I am a huge fan of some of the tracks on 'good morning spider' (in particular, 'sunshine'). This album also seems to have several strong tracks. 'Gold day' sounds kind of like a slightly more thoughtful Pavement with strings.

In general, the record achieves a very cool mood, through the use of some interesting recording techniques and sound effects. The instrumentation consists mostly of acoustic guitars, drums, bass, organ sounds and (sometimes) strings. The vocals are quiet and slightly spooky and whispering.

I will have to give this a more thorough review and listen in the future, but it sounds very promising.