Friday, July 17, 2009

CEU - VAGAROSA

Brazilian singer-songwriter Ceu, who instantly grabbed worldwide attention with her Grammy-nominated debut album (2007), has returned with a fresh new album, VAGAROSA. The album was released internationally on July 7th. On this new release, Ceu once again teamed up with artist/ producer Beto Villares to produce and record her new compositions. The result is a fresh, modern Brazilian sound which incorporates elements of soul, samba, dub, hip-hop and electronica. With the release of Vagarosa, Ceu takes her place as one of the most fascinating & creative performers currently working on the Global stage. VAGAROSA (her second album), arrives four years after her debut, finds her sticking to the style that first brought her to the attention of the world music and hipster-lounge communities. On thins new release she is still throwing in surprisingly capable reggae grooves ("Cangote," the first full song on this CD, boasts a deep dub bassline and some extremely haunting organ); and still multitracking her vocals into a conversation. It`s a lilting yet heady blend that she pulls off with an utter confidence that`s fascinating in such a young artist. Ceu`s songs flirt with a Tom Waits-like clatter sometimes, but always resolve themselves into drifting bliss. For insatance, her psychedelic take on Jorge Ben`s "Rosa Menina Rosa," the only song on VAGAROSA she didn`t write, works itself into a whirling storm of reverb and phasing effects, yet never loses its essential breeziness. Computer-generated vinyl crackle turns up on the album intro, as well as "Somnambulao" ("Sleepwalking. The last track, "Espa¿onave," throws in field recordings of rain forest creatures and multi-tracked vocals alongside fuzzed-out guitar, creating a feel reminiscent of the work of the similarly brilliant Mexican art-pop princess Natalia Lafourcade. VAGAROSA is an impressive, assured album well worth a listener`s time, whether one speaks Portuguese or not.

Vagarosa Track Listing:
1. Sobre O Amor E Seu Trabalho Silencioso (Ou Intro Do Cangote)
2. Cangote
3. Bubuia
4. Grains De Beaute
5. Vira Lata
6. Comadi
7. Papa
8. Ponteiro
9. Primeiro Desenho
10. Cordao Da Insonia
11. Rosa Menina Rosa
12. Sonambulo

Céu is currently performing select U.S. dates with upcoming appearances scheduled as follows:
July 17 - The Roxy - Los Angeles, CA
July 18 - Herbst Theatre - San Francisco, CA
July 21 - The HighLine Ballroom - New York, NY

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