Northeastern Brazil penetrates everything Alceu Valença does. His hometown of Pernambuco lives inside his music—you'll hear hints of coco, maracatu and other country styles in his loping rhythms, weaving accordion and stuttering guitars. This is music that shuffles, while Valença sings out with the thin, ringing wail characteristic of the region. He came of age with artists including Zé Ramalho, who also navigated the tricky lines between rock, pop and folklore. Even when he experiments, you can hear his rootedness.