Cape Verde - Batuco From Santiago Island (Batucadeiras De Rincon) - Various Artists

Advantages: Uplifting and joyful
Disadvantages: For a debut album, it's hard to fault

...at the tender age of 16. Cesaria Evora's music is derived mainly from 'Morna' - a languorous Cape Verdean fusion of Portuguese 'Fado' and Angolan 'Landu' (lament) that specialises in poignant bluesy themes of loss, longing and heartbreak. Some of Navega's compositions also explore these themes. Songs such as 'Dispidida' (Farewell), 'Tunuka' and the last song on the album 'Regasu' (Maternal Breast) which even uses 'Morna' as its subject matter: "your vigour captivates my heart, if only I could drink from the chalice of your melody". The folk-like fisherman's tale of the title track 'Navega' is one of three highly accomplished songs on the album penned by Mayra herself, the others being 'Mana' and 'Nha Sibitchi' (My Jet-Black Pearl). Four of the other tracks are by the late Cape Verdean "new batuco" composer, Orlando Pantera. Although many... Read review

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Advantages: 'Balancé' is a beautiful record
Disadvantages: None

...seconds Genre: Ethnic, Portuguese/Cape Verde 1. - Balancê 2. - Bom Feeling 3. - Lisboa Kuya 4. - Ess Amor 5. - One Love 6. - Poka Terra - Feat. Melo D 7. - Amor é 8. - Dam Bô 9. - Guisa 10.- Planeta Sukri - Feat. Boy Gê Mendes 11.- Novidadi 12.- Muna Xeia 13.- De Nua - Feat. Ana Moura Extracted from from her site... "Multilingual wordplay shows up throughout Tavares' album, and she hops across cultural references as much as she embraces any. The album title Balancê - pronounced bal-on-SAY - has many different meanings. The noun balanço is used in Portuguese when music "swings." Lusophone Africans use the verb form balancê in a more general way. "When you are eating something really good you say 'this food is balancê!'" explains Tavares. "For me the song, 'Balancê' is also about balancing yourself," Tavares continues, "between... Read review

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Advantages: Gets Everything Moving!
Disadvantages: None

.... Bruca Manigua 2. Herido de Sombras 3. Marieta 4. Guateque Campesino 5. Mami Me Gusto 6. Nuestra Ultima Cita 7. Cienfuegos Tiene Su Guaguanco 8. Silencio 9. Aquellos Ojos Verdes 10. Que Bueno Baila Usted 11. Como Fue I will not repeat all of the information on each song given in the CD booklet, but, it is well worth reading to get an idea of where the music originated from and how it has been up-dated for today. Ibrahim is supported by a stringed section and a small 'band' with plenty of percussion instruments including. of course, maracas! Where would Cuban music be without them? There are also backing vocalists and Cuban soloists who join Ibrahim on a number of tracks including 'Silencio'. I bought this CD online from audiostreet online for approx. ten pounds - it was a few months ago now! It is well worth borrowing or buying this CD... Read review

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