Portela is one of the oldest and most distinguished of all of the Rio samba schools. The Velha Guarda - or Old Guard - are the band who keep the tradition alive, and their latest set is produced by samba star Marisa Monte, whose father, Carlos, was a Portela director. It starts with the singer Monarco backed by the tiny cavaquinho as he sings Portela Since I Was Born (fans of samba schools are just as fervent as football supporters), before the rest of the band come on to play revivals of songs that are light and danceable, yet highly emotional. The great veteran Paulinho da Viola makes one fine appearance on

a sad-edged trombone-backed ballad; Marisa takes the lead on a couple of agreeably low-key songs; and there are guest spots from Zeca Pagodinho and Moreno Veloso. Those may help sell albums, but it's the good-time songs sung by the old boys themselves that make this worth checking out.