I love albums that stump me, and if I had just listened to Yuko Ito’s album of (mostly) Brazilian themes and lyrics, I’d never have guest that she was born in Tokyo. She’s got a sensuous delivery on on pieces where she’s teamed with guitarist Romero Lubambo and her tem of Helio Alves/p, Edward Perez/b and Alexandre Kautz/dr on “Caxanga” and the cozy “Obebado E A Equilibrista” . Likewise, with alto saxist Steve Wilson she draws you in with Alves on “Eu Se Que Vou Te Amar” and the loosely hip “You and the Night and the Music”. She’s folksy on “Seduzir” and coos on the pulsating read of “ Besame Mucho” teaming up with Vanessa Falabella on the easy soul pop of “O-o-h Child”. East meets South.