First, let us introduce Madlib. One of those crazy underground producers, Madlib first wowed us in 2000 with the hip-hop adventures of Quasimoto and his debut The Unseen. With its fabulous production and odd vocals, it's regarded as a must-have. Then there is his more orthodox hip-hop alter ego Madvillian, as well as his free jazz-influenced side project Yesterday's New Quintet.

Now let's meet Ivan Conti, drummer of the Brazilian trio Azymuth and responsible for more than 11 albums of futuristic funk, samba and jazz fusion. Having met through the musical documentary Brasilintime, the pair recorded this debut collaboration.

On first take, you'd think that this was simply a collection of classic Brazilian tunes — percussion-heavy tropicalia and bossa nova — plucked from obscurity.

With some insight into the musical pedigree of these two artists, you should warm to the quirky synthetic keyboarding and electronic bass from Madlib. Conti has an opportunity to show off his brilliant rhythmic skills.

With reworked classics and quirky originals, they skitter and scatter through funk, soul and the South American incarnations of those styles.

Overall, it's a unique excursion through Brazilian musical history.