Cape Verde music reviews

Related Subjects: Africa
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Music reviews for "Cape Verde" sorted by average review score:

Di Korpu Ku Alma

Released in Audio CD by Lusafrica (08 June, 2004)

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Artist: Lura

Tracks:

Batuku
So Um Cartinha
Na Ri Na
Nha Vida
Tó Martins
Vazulina (Zoi)
Ma'n Ba Dês Bês Kumida Dâ
Dzê Que Dzê
Tem Um Hora Pa Tude
Raboita Di Rubon Manel
Padoce de Céu Azul
Tabanka Assigo

Average review score: Cape Verde music review

One of the best albums ever!!!

A friend of mine gave me a copy of this album, which she discovered in Cape Verde. I was blown away! Lura has such an amazing voice and sings with incredible passion, soul, and energy. She combines the haunting style of the Cape Verdean morna and Portuguese fado with more upbeat coladera and Brazilian flavor. For all of you "world music" fans, I predict that this beautiful singer will be the next big thing...on par with a Cesaria Evora or Bebel Gilberto. A fascinating blend of sodade and sabor!

Distino Di Belita

Released in Audio CD by RCA (21 January, 2003)

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Artist: Cesaria Evora

Tracks:

Bitina
Nova Sintra
Emigranti
Tanha
Salamansa
Odji Maguado
T 'imbutchode
Distino Di Bilita
Nova Sintra (piano bar version)
Pontero

As the grande dame of world music, Cape Verde's Cesaria Evora is a singer beyond compare. Her deep voice and gentle phrasing are as friendly as a favorite aunt. Nonetheless, Evora has a sad bit of romantic melancholy to her that is always part of the morna style, which has its roots in West African drumming and Portuguese fado. It makes her, like the music, timeless. Even though Distino Di Belita was recorded in 1974, it holds up well next to recent efforts like Miss Perfumado, São Vicente, and Mar Azul. There are, however, some concessions. The production is typical for African albums of the era, which means there is some unwarranted glossiness that does nothing for tracks like "T'imbutchode," "Pontero," and the title track. For the most part, though, Distino Di Belita holds up well thanks to Evora herself and gems like "Nova Sintra." Released for the first time in the United States, this is a must for fans. --Tad Hendrickson

Average review score: Cape Verde music reivew

Earlier, But Not Better Cesaria

Like many, I first found out about Cesaria Evora a few years back through her brilliant series of recordings for Windham Hill/BMG, which led to a worldwide "rediscovery" of this world music diva. Much like the various cast of characters from the Buena Vista Social Club, Evora's numerous albums of the late 1990s captured old music in a new way with contemporary sound -- a very successful combination that appealed to critics and general music fans alike. Of course being someone who enjoys more "authentic" performances, I decided to go back in search of Cesaria's earlier efforts figuring they would be even better than the current releases. Well, I was very wrong. Surprisingly, this 1974 session is more of a desperate attempt at crossover success (for the time) than her recent major-label discs. While many will certainly enjoy "Distino Di Belita," I found the arrangements to be very dated -- stuck in a quagmire of syrupy 70s strings -- and her vocal stylings lacking the distinction they have today thirty years later. While it is taboo in some music circles for artists to "mature," it has clearly helped Ms. Evora. If you are new to this wonderful artist, don't begin at the beginning -- instead try "Mar Azul" or "Miss Perfumado."