Brazilian singer/actor Seu Jorge was last seen plaintively wailing David Bowie songs in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Before that he played Knockout Ned in City of God, a movie about the Brazilian slums he grew up in. Other than that, most Americans haven’t heard of Jorge, which I’m guessing is why his newest Cru is getting a brisk PR push in the States. Jorge’s voice is rich and deep, and though he uses plenty of traditional Brazilian instrumentation, like the high-pitched friction drum the cuica, he makes some pretty altenative choices for material, incorporating “Don’t” penned by the Brill Building’s Leiber & Stroller, and performing an angry, synthy version of Serge Gainsbourg’s “Chatterton.” To put it into context for world music fans: It’s Tom Ze-styled idiosyncrasy, a danceable, adventurous Jobim vibe, and Milton Nascimento-type vocal stylings. In layman’s terms? Buy it. It rocks.

-Liz Spikol