Rhythms of Brazil Promise to Entice

There’s a passage in one of Brazilian singer Katia Moraes’ songs that could very well describe the impact of her band’s music: “They come arrayed for battle / They spread their flowers on the ground / There they dance and sing / Who could resist?”

Moraes’ repertoire, performed with the ensemble Sambaguru, is Brazilian music of the highest caliber. Their songs are a fragile combination of smooth, frothy melodies and sophisticated rhythms that will delight fans of percolating percussion.

“In Brazil, the African heritage of slaves was more accepted than in the United States,” said Kevin Ricard, one of Sambaguru’s two percussionists. “They allowed them to perform their rituals and play the drums. That’s how percussion became so sophisticated in Brazilian music.”

The band will perform Saturday at La Ve Lee in Studio City, where it will present material from its new album, “Ginga.”

Although Sambaguru’s music is seductive enough to stand on its own, Moraes’ lyrics are the best part of the package. She sings mostly in Portuguese but is known to throw in an English lyric here or there. The English translations of her songs on the CD liner notes are powerful, but when you listen to the same words in her native tongue, you feel swept away by the poetry of the sounds.

Fortunately, the lyrics are combined with infectious melodies. In fact, a song such as the joyful “Pesca Das Muie” has hit single written all over it, making it easy to imagine Moraes becoming a superstar in Brazil. Was moving to the United States 10 years ago a mistake?

“A lot of people think that,” she said. “But life is not exactly how you plan it. . . . I’m happy to be here working with the incredible musicians that make up my group.”

Curiously, the five musicians who accompany her are not from Brazil. The percussionists and keyboard player are Americans, and there’s a guitarist from India and a Sri Lankan bassist.

“We just wanted to make music that we love,” said Ricard, “and all of us happen to love Brazilian music.”

BE THERE

Katia Moraes and Sambaguru appear Saturday at La Ve Lee, 12514 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. $10 cover charge. They will appear at the same venue Dec. 3 and 18. (818) 980 8158.