The latest for-mature-audiences edition of Brazil Carnaval is out and it again features all the rhythms, debauchery and permissiveness of Brazil's yearly bacchanalia. The video tape brings the parade of Rio's major samba schools, including the 1997 champion, with an explanation of how they are judged, and also makes incursions at some balls and the street Carnaval in Salvador, Bahia. Brazil Carnaval 1997, released by Washington, DC-based A-VID International, has a treat for samba aficionados: a Salgueiro samba school rehearsal, in which sambistas work themselves into a frenzy. For information or to order the video call (202) 547-3054.

There is a little of everything: rock, funk, contemporary and Brazilian jazz, Amazonian climate, and a lot of samba in trumpeter Randy Brecker's latest album. With Into the Sun Brecker shows how deep and sincere his love for Brazilian music is. "The seeds of this album," said Brecker recently, "were planted in the fall of 1979—my first trip to Brazil. The beauty and the spirit of the people, their sensibility and love of life, kept me there many extra joyous days." The romance got more serious in the coming years until the musician surrendered, declaring himself an "addicted lover of Brazil and Brazilians." Into the Sun is being released by Concord Vista.

Brazucas (Brazilians overseas) are busy again selecting the fairest of their girls in several regional competitions across the United States. Come October 25 the chosen ones will have a chance to become Miss Brasil-USA 1997, when all the winners get together in Miami for the pageant's ultimate party. On September 28, for the sixth year in a row, three contestants will be selected on the West Coast to represent San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in the finals. The California pageant, sponsored by Rio Roma Travel, is happening at the Bahia Cabana restaurant in downtown San Francisco. For information and tickets you can call (415) 921-3353.

Although born in the U.S., Philippe Seabra is more green and yellow than many Brazilians. For 18 years Seabra lived in Brazil and in the '80s he created the rock group Plebe Rude, which together with Paralamas do Sucesso and Legião Urbana constituted the movimento de Brasília, a movement that revolutionized rock in Brazil. Now, Seabra is starting an American career at New York's New York Café with the band Daybreak Gentlemen. He composed a series of new songs all with English lyrics for this new phase in his life. The musician didn't lose his stinging social conscious style of writing songs. Daybreak Gentlemen, with tunes from the New York show, will also be the title of Seabra's solo CD to be soon released.