A celebration of sorts to commemorate Maria Bethania's 25th year in music, CANTO DO PAJE begins and ends with sambas accompanied by a percussion ensemble. The rest of the record mostly explores torch songs and ballads, featuring collaborations with Joao Gilberto, Nina Simone, and Gal Costa.

Bethania sings very well with others, bringing out the best in Gilberto with "Maria/Linda Flor." Nina Simone is well suited to the sultry blues style of CANTO DO PAJE, and her duet with Bethania makes one wish for future collaborations between these two great singers. "Tomara" changes the tempo and shows Bethania's more powerful side, not often heard in her records of this era. More diverse and collaborative than MEMORY OF SKIN, CANTO DO PAJE makes one hope for 25 more years of great music from Maria Bethania.