Baden Powell blazed a new musical trail by blending Afro-Brazilian rhythms with sophisticated urban samba. The 50 songs he composed with lyricist Vinicius de Moraes during the '60s contain many of Brazil's most beloved melodies, which Powell performed with graceful mastery and casual, percussive cool. Powell's energetic youthful style gradually declined as he succumbed to alcoholism during a self-imposed European exile. Distinguished by its energetic, youthful style, Powell's relaxed, intimate, and transparent nylon-stringed sound remains bossa nova's signal instrumental sound.