CéU's debut album -- originally released by Urban Jungle Records in Brazil in 2005 and reissued two years later in the U.S. by Six Degrees in conjunction with Starbucks -- is a lush blend of African-rooted North and South American music styles (MPB, samba, soul, jazz, Afrobeat, eggae) with cutting-edge contemporary production techniques. The radiant Săo Paulo vocalist is no doubt the star of this show, as she writes her own songs as well as sings them. The formative span of time she spent in New York City, where she found a rich array of influences, from classic jazz (Billie Holiday) and contemporary soul (Lauryn Hill) to hip-hop and electronica, greatly inform her music here. From song to song, CéU sings in a number of respective fashions, often channeling her influences. Her reverent cover of "Concrete Jungle" is the most overt instance of this, as she channels the spirit of Bob Marley for three-and-a-half minutes and does so quite convincingly. So while CéU may be the star of the show here, with her clear talent and varied wardrobe of influences, producer Beto Villares is the X-factor. He produces all but one of the 15 songs ("Ave Cruz" is the fine work of Antońio Pinto), and he brings the songs to life in such a way that their blend of traditional music styles is melded tastefully, if not downright perfectly, with present-day advances in technology. He ensures that every song here has a prominent rhythm, even if it's a gentle soul groove or a jazzy lilt, even if that means he has to play the bassline himself (and in some cases he does, according to the revealing track-by-track credits). Practically every song features real percussion and bass playing (i.e., no programming, except on "Roda" and "Ave Cruz" -- each outstanding), as well as frequent acoustic guitar, all of which gives the album an organic earthiness that most so-called worldbeat albums lack, not to mention the productions of globally appropriating downtempo electronica acts like Thievery Corporation. Yet at the same time, Villares makes frequent use of studio effects, multi-tracking especially, and moves the percussion and bass to the forefront of the mix, and he also incorporates the urntablism of DJ Marco on most tracks. So even if the music of CéU is earthy and, for the most part, actually hand-played rather than programmed, it's just as contemporary in technique and style as that of Thievery Corporation, to again reference one of the most impressive concurrent downtempo electronica acts. CéU consequently fits in well with fellow cutting-edge female Brazilian artists such as Cibelle, Bebel Gilberto, and Marisa Monte who straddle classic as well as contemporary styles of music, and while each of these women is thankfully unique in her own wonderful way, they as a group represent what seems to be a growing, forward-looking Brazilian music movement whose appeal is increasingly global in its reach. This CD was nominated for a Grammy award in 2007 for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
I don't nearly have the time (or possibly inclination) that I'd like to devote to proper reviews. I also find that succinct language drives the point home in a clearer fashion. That said, I will now continue what I started with my review of Radiohead's "In Rainbows".Ahem."Every time I listen to Céu I get pregnant."
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Wow. CéU's self-titled debut album, published in collaboration with Six Degrees and Hear Music, is my latest discovery from Brazil. A perfect mix of Brazilian soul mixed with electronica-infused afrojazz and a little bit of dub (listen to Concrete Jungle) thrown-in for good measure.Continue reading CéU
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I love this woman. Ceu is her name, beautiful tunes her game.Lucky residents of Miami, New York, Boston, San Fran, and Seattle should go and see her next month. I highly doubt she'll disappoint.Learn more at her site www.ceumusic.comShe does the wikkedest cover of Concrete Jungle I've ever heard--check it if you like.
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I have "Pseudo Cyborg":http://mog.com/Pseudo_Cyborg/blog_post/120157 to thank for my discovery of Céu, whom I have been really enjoying as of late.I offer up her cover of Concrete Jungle for your Sunday listening pleasure.
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I don't nearly have the time (or possibly inclination) that I'd like to devote to proper reviews. I also find that succinct language drives the point home in a clearer fashion. That said, I will now continue what I started with my review of Radiohead's "In Rainbows".Ahem."Every time I listen to Céu I get pregnant."
More >
I love this woman. Ceu is her name, beautiful tunes her game.Lucky residents of Miami, New York, Boston, San Fran, and Seattle should go and see her next month. I highly doubt she'll disappoint.Learn more at her site www.ceumusic.comShe does the wikkedest cover of Concrete Jungle I've ever heard--check it if you like.
More >
Wow. CéU's self-titled debut album, published in collaboration with Six Degrees and Hear Music, is my latest discovery from Brazil. A perfect mix of Brazilian soul mixed with electronica-infused afrojazz and a little bit of dub (listen to Concrete Jungle) thrown-in for good measure.Continue reading CéU
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Vinheta Quebrante |
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| 2 Lenda |
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| 3 Malemolęncia |
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| 4 Roda |
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| 5 Rainha |
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| 6 10 Contados |
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| 7 Vinheta Dorival |
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| 8 Mais Um Lamento |
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| 9 Concrete Jungle |
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| 10 Véu Da Noite |
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| 11 Valsa Pra Biu Roque |
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| 12 Ave Cruz |
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| 13 O Ronco Da Cuíca |
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| 14 Bobagem |
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| 15 Samba Na Sola |
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Click to purchase…
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 "CéU")
