Proper Nha Sentimento CD Cesaria Evora

Cesaria Evora's original 2009 album now comes with a bonus track "Moda Bô" (duet with Lura). This album sees a return to more acoustic feel and is similar to some of her early releases.

Recorded in spring 2009 between Mindelo, on São Vicente Island, and Paris, France, this album is produced by Jose da Silva and arranged by Nando Andrade, Cesaria's piano player and conductor. In "Nha Sentimento", a record more up tempo than her previous works, Nando focused on getting back to the typical percussion style of Mindelo in the 1950s and 1960s, way before Cape-Verdean music crossed borders and started being influenced by other trends. Alongside Nando is Tey Santos who was by Cesaria's side in Europe in 1991 when recording "Mar Azul". The songs are mostly in the livelier coladera style, but for the three mornas, Jose da Silva has emphasized the Arabic influence by asking Fathy Salama to take care of the string arrangements. These were recorded in Egypt with the Cairo Orchestra which Salama conducts. This oriental languor gives the Diva's voice a wistful colour. In 2008, a stroke suffered during her Australian tour had obliged her to rest, but Cesaria made her on-stage comeback in the spring of this year and performed at several major summer festivals in Europe. She lost weight and follows a strict diet, but her health is now fine, although she still smokes (even onstage when she gets the chance). Nevertheless, to take it easy, Cesaria has decided to reduce her concert schedule to occasional and special events. The voice however remains as entrancing as ever.

With who knows how many albums made in her 45-year career, famously melancholy Cesaria Evora sounds almost perky on this new offering. Concentrating on the uptempo coladera rhythm, the music gains an unusual, but interesting feel from the use of an Egyptian string section, and despite a stroke last year, the velvet-voiced Evora sounds in fine form. --Daily Telegraph