Brazilian samba-funk performer Curumin [ tickets ] returns to the US this month for a brief outing in support of his latest solo album, "JapanPopShow."

The singer/songwriter--who also plays drums and cavaquinho, a guitar-like Brazilian instrument--kicks off the trek Jan. 20 in San Diego. Several special guests are scheduled to pop up at various stops on the nine-city outing, including Blackalicious, Money Mark and Tommy Guerrero. Details (including guest acts) are shown below.

The performer's latest full-length studio effort, "JapanPopShow," surfaced in November. A pair of mp3s from the album can be downloaded at Curumin's label website.

The entertainer, born Luciano Nakata Albuquerque in Brazil to Spanish/Japanese parents, began performing at an early age, working by the time he was 14 as a percussionist in Sao Paulo nightclubs. After attending the prestigious Brazilian music school Gavioes da Fiel, Curumin formed the band Zomba with a pair of friends.

Eventually, Curumin was "discovered" by Blackalicious, who brought the performer to the US, where he made his American debut in 2005 at the CMJ conference following the release of his first solo album, "Achados e Perdidos."