Cafe Atlantico

1	Flôr Di Nha Esperança The Dream of My Hope 4:16
2	Vaquinha Mansa Sweet Little Cow 4:49
3	Amor Di Mundo Love of the World 4:07
4	Paraiso di Atlantico Atlantic Paradise 3:57
5	Sorte Luck 3:49
6	Carnaval de São Vicente São Vicente Carnival 3:49
7	Desilusão dum Amdjer A Women's Disappointment 5:38
8	Nho Antone Escaderode Like Crooked Mr. Antoine 3:47
9	Beijo de Longe A Kiss from Afar 4:01
10	Roma Criola Creole Rome 4:11
11	Perseguida Persecuted 4:51
12	Maria Elena 3:28
13	Cabo Verde Mandá Manténha Cape Verde Greets You 3:31
14	Terzinha Little Theresa 4:03

Barnes & Noble

With the lush new CAFE ATLANTICO, Cape Verde's celebrated "barefoot diva" follows in the footsteps of stars like Edith Piaf and Gal Costa, women whose voices have transcended their cultures to become universal treasures. Although rooted in the melancholic morna that's become the trademark of her African archipelago home, Evora's latest is buoyed by brave new collaborations and reinterpretations. Jacques Morelenbaum, cellist and arranger for Caetano Veloso over the last decade, contributes characteristically billowing swells of strings and percussion around Evora on "Flor di nha Esperanca"; the festive "Carnaval de São Vicente" boasts a brassy Brazilian feel; and "Maria Elena," sung in Spanish, cannily enlists Cuban musicians for its stately danzón. But Evora's not chasing fads. While making her mark with the smoky, tragic morna, she's never shied away from more upbeat dance material, and the occasional effervescence of CAFE ATLANTICO remains in character. Indeed, when she stretches out completely, on the Spanish numbers and the orchestral ballad "Roma Criola," Evora proves herself the equal to internationalists like Piaf and Costa. But Evora's nostalgic, terse vocals neither soar nor electrify, they simply impart an ineffable, cosmic blues. The humble, late-night glow of CAFE ATLANTICO is welcome sight -- and sound -- amidst a sea of pop music bluster. Mark Schwartz

All Music Guide

The glorious Café Atlantico finds Césaria Évora venturing into more Latin American musical landscapes, as opposed to Portuguese, which dominated her previous albums. Évora draws from traditional Cuban and Brazilian music to mesmerizing effect. The album is also a tribute to her home town of Mindelo, on the Cape Verdean island of Sao Vicente, which was once a busy port with sailors cruising between South America, the Caribbean, and Portugal. Therefore, the music is heartbreaking and nostalgic, warm and tragic all at once. The masterful "Carnaval de São Vicente" is one of the most joyous, bittersweet party songs ever put on wax (and was even issued as a maxi-single with fantastic remixes). "Roma Criola" is tragic, lonely, destitute, and always interesting, making for an undiscovered masterpiece of a ballad, and her rendition of the Spanish language standard "Maria Elena" is absolutely heartbreaking. The album evokes a moody elegance rarely found in modern music, from the sweeping opener "Flôr Di Nha Esperança" to the summery "Amor Di Mundo," and the picture she paints of this café at the end of the world is a gorgeous, multi-colored, and emotion-stirring palate. This album is nothing short of world class and will be enjoyed by generations to come. Jose Promis