The album title, My Heart Speaks, is taken from the Lins composition, ‘The Heart Speaks,’ and was recorded on an album devoted to Lins’ compositions by Terence Blanchard in 1996; that album also included ‘Congada Blues’ which also appears here. This version of ‘The Heart Speaks’ has new lyrics – at Lins’ request – by vocalist Jane Monheit, who is quietly building a second career as a rather skilled lyricist. Sung by Dianne Reeves, it encapsulates the mood of an album of well-known and not-so-well-known Lins compositions.

A labour of love by Resonance label founder and producer George Klabin, with string arrangements by Kuno Schmid, this is a perfect entry into the musical world of the Brazilian songwriter whom many, Klabin included, believe is the equal of Antonio Carlos Jobim. A big claim, but Klabin’s production stands it up, thanks to Schmid’s bold and imaginative arranging, illuminating Lins’ unforgettable melodies and more adventurous harmonies than his countryman. Monheidt as both lyricist and singer appears on ‘Rio,’ while Twanda, is a vocalist of great promise, if ‘I’m Not Alone’ is anything to go by.

Two songs come from the time of Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964-85): ‘Não Há Porque,’ and ‘Corpus,’ the latter dedicated to the disappeared, individuals whom the dictatorship took a dislike to, their memorable melodies in contrast to the dangerous background in which Lins wrote them. Lins as singer and interpreter of his own material is one of the most memorable sounds in Brazilian music, his authenticity and passion, especially on ‘E Isso Acontece,’ ‘Easy Going’ (duetting with synthesised trombone) or ‘Nada Set Você,’ is a celebration of life and living.