New albums include international talents

We're going global, with the best of the new music releases.

A TRIP TO BRAZIL: "Red Hot + Rio 2" (eOne, A) works well on multiple levels - first as an introduction to worthy Brazilian talents (Caetano Veloso and Bebel Gilberto the most famous) and music, with a focus on the late 1960s Tropicalia movement steeped in cultural/political dissent. The balmy bossa novas of disc one give license to chill, edgier productions on the second platter rouse the party spirits. The set also functions as a hands-across-the-water thing, creatively connecting Brazilians to stateside (and world) talents like John Legend, Beck, David Byrne, Of Montreal and Eugene Hutz (Gogol Bordello). And please to note, your investment benefits HIV/AIDs charities.

JAH-FRICAN DELIGHTS: Youssou N'Dour, "Dakar-Kingston" (Emarcy, B+) finds the keening Senegalese singer/songwriter going the Pan-African unity route - merging his native mbalax music with Jamaican reggae grooves. N'Dour also dares more English lyrics (along with French and Senegalese) than usual, starting with the song-title quoting tribute to reggae master (Bob) "Marley" (helped out by Mutabaruka), and capping with the giant's last masterpiece "Redemption Song" though done here in a poppier fashion that avoids comparison. Former Marley keyboardist Tyrone Downie, female singer Ayo, Morgan Heritage and rapper Patrice also participate. N'Dour has been criticized for some past crossover efforts, but this time his aim seems true.

CUBAN SPICE: All the world identifies band leader/percussionist Mongo Santamaria to his stomping Latin Jazz smash "Watermelon Man." Now "Jose Rizo's Mongorama"(Saungu, A-) illuminates Mongo's roots in charanga, a more lilting, though ever danceable style of Cuban music that the bandleader opened up to jazzier improvisations with his up-front blending of flute, violin and saxophone over a cooking rhythm section. A longtime West Coast DJ, Rizo fleshes out this labor of love with a terrific cast of players and singers, including M.S. band alum Hubert Laws (flute) and Justo Almario (sax).

BUDDY'S BIRTHDAY: Had he not been tragically taken in a plane crash in 1959 (at age 22), Buddy Holly would be turning 75 this September. And one can only imagine what more he would have wrought. Probably a catalog to rival the likes of Paul McCartney, who now owns Holly's publishing and adds one of the most eccentric readings (of "It's So Easy") to the new tribute album "Rave On Buddy Holly" (Fantasy/MPL, B). Doesn't even sound like Paulie! Modest Mouse's "That'll Be the Day" is equally twisted. But fans old and new will be pleased by Florence & The Machine's New Orleans take on "Not Fade Away," Lou Reed's growling "Peggy Sue" and Patti Smith's deep thought "Words of Love." Also plugging in for the Holly-day - The Black Keys, Cee Lo Green, Kid Rock, The Detroit Cobras, She & Him, John Doe, Nick Lowe and Graham Nash (who named The Hollies after you-know-who.)

COUNTRY COMFORTS: Dolly Parton sounds like she's found the rainbow connection on "Better Day" (Dolly Records/Warner Bros, B-). "The greatest days we've ever known are the ones

we're living in" she enthuses in the opening cut. (Uh, I'll have what she's drinking.) Even her kiss-off "Get Out and Stay Out" oozes "I'm taking back my life" positivity. Cynics (and diabetics) steer clear!

There's truth in advertising in "A Treasure" (Reprise, A) a stellar collection of previously unreleased concert cuts (circa 1984-85) by Neil Young and The International Harvesters - his back to traditional country sideline project. With legends like Ben Keith on steel and slide guitars, Rufus Thibodeaux on fiddle and Spooner Oldham and Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano, the set recasts Young classics like "Flying on the Ground Is Wrong" and the train and automobile-themed "Southern Pacific" and "Motor City" (both from the poorly received "Re-Ac-Tor") and tosses in five that never made it to official release before. Applause has been neatly eliminated for your repeated listening enjoyment.

MORE TO SCORE: Tim Easton brings a wry touch to the singer/songwriter genre with "Beat the Band" (www.timeaston.

com, B) especially with his rock duffer put-down "Nobody Plays Piano in Athens, GA." Easton's at the North Star on Thursday.

Earnest pop rocker Matt Nathanson celebrates "Modern Love" (Vanguard, B). And yeah, it's easy to imagine the young girls lovin' it all as his heart beats "Faster," and Matt gets tied up by the "Queen of (K)Nots" and "Love Comes Tumbling Down." Perfect scoring for the season.

Also new from Vanguard (the label saved by Lawrence Welk's heirs) yet at the other end of the emotional spectrum is "The Future Will Destroy You" by Viva Voce (Vanguard, B+) a crafty he 'n she team striding the dark, echoey corridors of the psychedelic folk museum.

I hope Dave Matthews didn't lose money on his Atlantic City rock festival last weekend (they were expecting 50,000 patrons each day, but got 25,000). 'Cause it'd be shame if he has to cut back on his support of the worthy ATO label - from whence comes the latest by Gomez, "Whatever's On Your Mind" (B). Enjoy the distinctively raspy vocals of Ben Ottewell and crafty songcraft by all.