Given the album title, one might think that perhaps Miucha is a popular Brazilian samba band and that ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM AND MIUCHA is an earthy, traditional Brazilian samba record filled with hypnotic percussion and hyper-strummed acoustic guitars. Turns out that Miucha isn't a "they," but a "she." In fact, she's singer/guitarist Joao Gilberto's second wife, a popular Brazilian jazz vocalist of the '70s, and the mother of second-generation bossa nova queen Bebel Gilberto (who, it so happens, bears a startling vocal resemblance to her mother). Antonio Carlos Jobim made three albums with Miucha in the late '70s, of which 1977's ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM AND MIUCHA is the first and best. Closer to the light, almost easy listening sound of Jobim's A&M Records period than to the more stripped-down ELIS AND TOM collaboration with Elis Regina, this album at times resembles Ray Conniff in a Latin mood, thanks to Miucha's super-smooth vocal style and the slick, semi-orchestral arrangements. For all that, however, Miucha is a genuinely captivating vocalist, and Jobim's tunes are as excellent as always. Those predisposed to hate anything even close to elevator music may not be impressed, but ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM AND MIUCHA is a gem.