Overdone arrangements drown out Rosalia this time
Only buy this album (Brasil Precisa Balancar) if you really like heavily-arranged (huge horn section, etc.) pieces that are more bossa and jazz oriented than Rosalia's previous offering. I personally don't care for Menescal's overdone arrangements on this -- somehow they mostly overpower Rosalia's very personal voice, and they have sapped the verve she had on the very unique "Garota Moderna" album.
The title means "Brazil needs to dance" or something similar, but I don't find this album dance-able in the least; unlike Garota Moderna (Modern Girl) which was supremely dance-able and modern! Rosalia, please don't let this happen again! Menescal is a talented arranger, but please let him do his thing with someone else. I far preferred Nicola Conte's digital arrangements on the Garota Moderna album -- to which I cannot stop dancing! If Rosalia is going to do more traditional stuff, please let it be more "unplugged" and simple, not these overdone arrangements! Obrigada.

Great album
The sound from this CD is more of a 'traditional jazz' feel rather than the usual bossa nova stuff that is coming out of Brazil these days, more upbeat and played at a slightly quicker pace. I get an almost Diana Krall meets (early) George Benson feel to this (cant be a bad thing) Still maintains that silky Brazilian sound though.

Simply the best
I actually don't know what the guy below meant when he says less sophisticated, yes it's very diferent from garota moderna and i accept i was a little dissapointed when i first listen to it cause i was expecting something more electronic like her first album but once i started to listen carefully i swear, i realized this is probably better than garota moderna, and that's a lot since i considered that one the best modern brazilian music CD, but Brasil precisa balancear is so elegant and exquisite, it can goes from a very slow rythm to a very fast samba in in the same song, melodies are always beautiful, as usual, and if this isn't better than garota moderna it deserves five stars in my opinion anyway!

Class and Jazz on Rosalia's Second
I got into Rosalia De Souza's voice without really knowing it - when I was listening to Les Hommes and Quintetto X; both artists on Schema's label along with Rosalia. But I really got hooked after she featured on Break & Bossa vol 5, where she opened up a continuous bossa mix with back to back tracks - the classic Canta De Ossanha and then the unique track "Zig-Zag" (it's on her album but without lyrics). Some months afterwards, her debut album was released and it was stunning. Now in 2006, Rosalia's back with her second album. But this time she has the help and production work of the terrifically talented Roberto Menescal instead of the very impressive Nicola Conte.

This is a very good album, although I must warn from the start that the vibe is FAR different from "Garota Moderna". This was recorded in Rio De Janeiro and again, with the expertise of Roberto Menescal. It has a completely different ambiance. From the first song on, I was actually reminded a bit of her work with Quintetto X but with a bit of a 'spark' to it. "Onde Anda O Meu Amor", a classic Orlandivo cut was a pretty classy intro, very smooth. Voz da Lapa is another nice track highlighting Rosalia's voice but with the help from labelmate Toco on vocals. "Que Bandeira" (that flag) features Marcos Valle in a guest role, hmm... nice but not the highlight of the album to me. "Ao Amigo Tom" is a nice tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim (Tom), nicely laid over a play of one of his classic ballads to close. Other standouts on this to me were "Agarradinho"... what a song. "Nem Que Seja a Nado" was also nice, "Rio De Janeiro" had that sweet Carioca feel to it, "Vivo Sonhando" is a Jobim track that Rosalia does a fantastic job of covering and the album closes wonderfully with "O Que e Amar"... beautiful song with great a romantic guitar.

I certainly recommend this. The album was well put together, is rather deep and sung with care and the musicianship is simple... yet not so simple. To be honest this reminded me quite a bit of Joyce's more recent works on Far Out records but... recorded in Rio. The album is certainly a tribute to Brasil, Bossa Nova and Samba and Toco, Roberto Menescal and of course Rosalia De Souza were outstanding and put togehtre some beautiful songs. I listened to this from beginning to end, but must again warn that if you're looking for a more bossa album or a sound like in "Garota Moderna", you'll be disappointed. If you do like this, definitely check out Joyce's "A Little Bit Crazy" and you'll probably like work by Maria Rita, Rosa Passos and Luciana Souza. You absolutely MUST get your hands on Joyce's "Rio - Bahia", an outstanding effort on Far Out Records which she did with Dori Caymmi. Amazingly similar vibe! You might also like Jazzinho's "Atlas", but I heavily emphasis "might" on that one.

As far as format - I'm unsure if it will have a domestic (USA) release. But it will have a Schema release (which might be this one - there's another listing on Amazon for it), which means it'll be available without the two *bonus* tracks on this one. "Adriana" is available on Rosalia's remix album "Garota Diferente" and "Que Bandeira" is probably available on 12". There will also be an LP version of this however it will not have "Agarradinho" or "O Que e Amar". Also please note that if you do get this version, the linear notes and information is in kanji.

different from garota moderna
Les sophisticated than garota moderna but more organic than this. Well produced and arranged (thanks to roberto menescal)and including a handfull of singles.