Maria De Barros - Danca Ma Mi: Dance With Me CD

Danca Ma Mi: Dance With Me buy CD music Although she was born in nearby Senegal, Maria de Barros has made her musical home in Cape Verde, where she brings her warm, sensual voice and original creative vision to bear on the mornas and coladeiras of her adopted home and on the boleros and sambas that came to the islands from Brazil and the Caribbean. Those who are already familiar with the singing of Césaria Évora and Susana Baca will see similar influences at work here, but de Barros' gently compelling style is uniquely her own. Backed up by a mostly acoustic band of guitars, accordions, percussion, and what sounds like a Portuguese guitarra, de Barros weaves a complex tapestry of rhythms and melodies that varies from the reggae-flavored "Riberonzinha" to the bouncing Afro-Cuban hesitation-step of "Regresa," finally culminating in the album's emotional centerpiece, a simple, joyful, and stunningly beautiful song entitled "So Um Melodia." It is difficult to imagine anyone not being completely entranced by this sometimes bittersweet but ultimately joyous album. Very highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson Recording information: KO Studios, Granada Hills, CA; L&M Music Studios, Tarzana, CA; Red Sky Music And Sound, Los Angeles, CA; SoundAbout Stdios, Van Nuys, CA; SoundStation 7, Providence, RI. Arranger: Danny Luchansky. Personnel: Maria de Barros (background vocals); Ismael Gallegos (vocals); Dicki Tavares, Djoska Lopes, Joony Booth, Grecco Buratto (guitar, cavaquinho); Ramón Stagnaro (guitar); Sarkis Gyurgchyan, Joe Ketendjian, Ana Landauer, Eric Gorfain, Hakop Mekinian, Igor Kiskatchi, Marina Manukian (violin); Jorge Moraga, Harry Shirinian (viola); Giovanna Moraga Clayton (cello); Ron Kalina (harmonica); Frank Morrocco (accordion); Leo Chelyapov (clarinet); Ray Herrmann (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Ramon Flores (trumpet); Eric Jorgensen (trombone); Carlos "Kalú" Monteiro (drums, background vocals); Rafael Padilla (percussion); Francis Benítez, Kenny O'Brien, Leyla Hoyle, ...