If the cliché “less is more” means anything then it says plenty about the supple subtlety of Cantuaria's writing and elusive, allusive performances. Even by Brazilian standards his material is gossamer light, melodies suggested then dissolved in a weave of rhythm and easeful but irresistible grooves. Samba Corioca is more intimate and song-centred than Cymbals or the splendid Horse And Fish so more jazz oriented fans may miss the seductive instrumental grooves like ‘Procissao’ that so intrigue Bill Frisell. Frisell is on board here again, but the rack of effects that once so fascinated Cantuaria in now more subdued. Instead there's more emphasis on Tom Jobim-style song forms, on Cantuaria's own fragile, fractured voice (‘Vagamente’) and, if one instrument stands out, it's Valle and Mehldau's piano textures, notably on ‘Berlin’, ‘Fugia’ and the dark insistence of ‘Conversa Fiada’. Like the songs of Circe, once heard, escape is not an option.