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Maria de Barros’ music transcends taste, preference and even language. It travels through countries dense with culture, picking up pieces of each along the way, combining distinct inflections of Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, France and Spain, while allowing the tradition and culture of Cape Verde to permeate.
Melodies melt off her tongue with the same richness and maturity of a contemporary Cape Verde club singing Ella Fitzgerald, except that this songstress’s club is bursting with a taste of Latin spice, serving Portuguese and African cuisine with dancers to match and audiences swinging their hips to Maria’s sensual Morna and Coladeira beats.
Her new album, Morabeza: “A simple and sublime expression that characterizes the soul of a people; it is solidarity in times of misfortune; it is kindness, tenderness, hospitality, sympathy and friendship”, is an eclectic blend of sounds with songs alternating in tempo, beat and style, making for an exciting tantalisation of the ear drums.
Maria invites you into her heart with the warmth of a close friend. Her album, aptly titled, epitomizes what she chooses to express: the tradition and beauty of the people and the landscape. Her music defines a much-needed optimism in the face of suffering and hardship in Africa. Although Maria was born in Dakar, Senegal and grew up in Nouackchott, Mauritania, her creative heart lies in the culturally rich Islands of Cape Verde, the birthplace of her parents.
Maria takes inspiration from things which fuel her heart: The love of her family, nostalgia of her mother’s voice around the house, the school children whom she sponsors in Cape Verde, the humbling of her fans and musicians and artists she admires, particularly godmother Cesaria Evora, “the barefoot diva”, who put the music of Cape Verde on the global jukebox. If music is food for the soul, then Maria de Barros is most certainly the chef. She takes inspiration from food and cooking too, but most importantly, life. Her optimistic outlook on life is evident in her music, as it serves as a glimmer in some of the darker times.
Morabeza, speaks to the past and present in its production, integrating a repertoire of songs written by revered songwriters such as Manuel d’Novas, Betu, Kaka Barbosa, Jorge Barbosa, Teofilo Chantre, Ramiro Mendes, as well as newer talent including the likes of To Alves, Calu di Guida, Joe Andrade, Kalu Monteiro and Djim Job.
Maria attributes her eclectic sound to her creative team who embody the spirit of their multicultural backgrounds. Her original style is evident in her 3 CDs: Nha Mundo, Danca Ma Mi and her latest album, Morabeza.
She describes her music as “a potpourri of African, Latin and European styles. It is truly a musical geography - but still very much rooted in the musical tradition of Cabo Verde.”
Maria’s musical canvas, with an undercoat of traditional Criolu daubed with bright flecks of Latin pop and African soul, is like a global triptych, made up of all different parts, influences and dialects, yet each piece standing alone, would be much less exciting or meaningful. The beauty can only be truly appreciated when all are perceived simultaneously - an aural masterpiece.
Maria seems to be following in her godmother’s “barefooted” steps with her global appeal. Her achievements include the Cape Verdean Artist of the Year, awarded by Cape Verdean Radio/TV/Newspapers in US in 2005, the Miriam Makeba Award for Excellence in Music, given by Radio DJs in the United States in 2006, and the Cultural Certificate of Merit awarded by the Ministry of Culture in Cape Verde in 2008. She has also hosted the “Soul of Africa” programme on BET Jazz television since 2006 while a song from her latest album was placed in the international hit HBO series “Entourage”. The recognition of this songstress’s talent is a testament to her global appeal and drive, which she hopes will help her in her strife for a better world.
Maria de Barros: Songstress, collaborator, explorer, philanthropist, cultural ambassador, feeder of souls.
Maria's new CD "MORABEZA" receives 4 nominations by Cabo Verde Music Awards ! Gala event held on March 12, 2011 in Praia, Cabo Verde !
