CD Review: Cape Verdean Titina Releases 'Canta B. Leza'

Titina
Canta B. Leza
Astral Music

A native of Cape Verde, Titina grew up listening to composer, poet, and activist, B. Leza. The songs on this new album represent a nearly twenty-five year gap from the original recordings. The music is as timely as ever, as Cape Verde music continues to be on the world music map--thanks to the likes of Cesaria Evora, Bau, etc. Titina presents a mix of heady island rhythms and classic pieces of musical ingeniousness on Canta B. Leza. The songs represent a mix of morna and fado music with both male and female vocals throughout. There are only seven tracks, but the last track, "Rapsodia (Medley of Mornas)," is almost eleven minutes long. Anyone familiar with the Latin, Spanish, Portuguese, and European-infused music of the Cape Verde islands will understand the significance of Titina and everything she offers here. This is a recording that should not be missed. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Cesaria Evora's 'Mae Carinhosa'

Cesaria Evora
Mae Carinhosa
Lusafrica

Cape Verdean songstress and music pioneer, Cesaria Evora passed away in 2011. Producer, Jose da Silva, compiled an album of previously unreleased songs that showcase a music legend. The sweet and sincere songs draw upon emotive mornas and moving coladeras. The songs are mostly guitar-driven with some marimba, percussion, piano, and string accompaniment. There are thirteen tracks, including "Sentimento," "Quem Tem Odio," "Talvez," "Mae Carinhosa," and many others. Despite the tracks' absence on other recordings, the songs tend to form a cohesive and fluid mix from start to finish. There are tracks by Pedro Rodrigues, Teofilo Chantre, Frank Cavaquinho, Jon Luz, and others. Own the last piece of Cesaria Evora's musical legacy today. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Cesaria Evora

Cesaria Evora

Nha Sentimento

Lusafrica

The infatigable queen of Cape Verde music is back again with Nha Sentimento. Cesaria Evora has released countless albums over the years, and this one continues her legacy in the world of contemporary Cape Verde music. Cesaria sings primarily catchy dance-floor type songs called coladeras, while leaving her more iconic blues style (morna) on the back burner. Classic melodies, jazzy percussion, and Afro-Caribbean tones accompany Cesaria Evora's unmistakable voice. Fourteen tracks cover nostalgic songs of joy, tranquility, sadness, and optimism. Back-up vocals and earthy percussion are reminiscent of one's feet shuffling about a dance floor. Nha Sentimento is another fine selection of music from the mouth of Cesaria Evora. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Uxia's Eterno Navegar

Uxia

Eterno Navegar

World Village

Uxia (pron. 00-SHEE-a) is a heartfelt singer of fado and morna songs inspired by the Asturias region of Northern Spain, Portugal, the Azores, Cape Verde, Africa, Brazil and everywhere in-between. Eterno Navegar, which means, "Eternal Sailing", is a reflection of the musical inspiration inherent in the environment surrounding the countries and islands in the Eastern Atlantic. The entire album has a Lusophone (a.k.a. Portuguese) sound. Instrumentally, the piano, accordion, bass, trombone, cello, percussion, hurdy gurdy, and violin comprise the primary repertoire. The Cape Verdean/Portuguese guitarist and singer, Sara Tavares, lends her vocals to the mix. Overall, Eterno Navegar is an intimate and inviting journey for any listener with an interest in Lusophone music. A 56-page colored booklet in English and Portuguese includes an introduction, song titles and instrumentation, and photos. ~ Matthew Forss