The fascinating sounds that Badi creates with guitar, light percussion and voice awakened many Americans evidenced by her signing with Chesky Records which released two of her albums here in the States. Badi Assad-Solo, was recorded in April '93 at St. Stephen's of Hungary Church in New York and features works by Egberto Gismonti, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Edu Lobo, Chico Buarque and others. Badi and her brother Sergio make a great partnership, mixing classical and baiao, popular music and jazz, imagination and creativity. The other album is Rhythms on which she brings back the arrangement with Sergio and adds a new partner -- the legendary percussionist Cyro Baptista -- who introduces a new flavor in the few songs such as "A Primeira Vista [At First Sight]" by Chico Cesar and "Ica" by Badi Assad. When Badi performs, her beauty, her music, and her talent fill the room with magic and suspense -- you never know what is coming next. As she says, "I play with my heart -- and my heart plays with me."