Césaria Évora

Since her auspicious 1988 debut La Diva Aux Pieds Nus (The Barefoot Diva) on BMG France imprint Lusafrica, Césaria Évora has steadily amassed a devout following. By the release of her self-titled 1995 album, the illustrious siren had emerged as a certified international star acclaimed for her signature compositions: an enrapturing repertoire of “mornas” (slow-paced, blues-steeped songs with mournful and often fatalistic lyrics) and “coladeras” (spirited up-tempo songs that share a kinship with Brazilian samba). However, it was her distinctive vocals that transfixed the world music community. Often described as “…Billie Holiday’s long-lost twin sister,” Césaria’s passionate vocals are draped in velvet honey-colored tones, penetrating emotional vistas and restrained reverent musings that transcend language
barriers. By 2003, the 62 year-old had released 10 commercially successful studio albums, toured incessantly and sold over 5 million albums worldwide.

Club Sodade is the follow-up to Évora’s critically acclaimed 2003 Bluebird Grammy-nominated full-length Voz D’Amor. It also marks the much-anticipated US release of the first-ever remix collection from the enduring 6-time Grammy-nominated artist.
Césaria Évora’s influence extends far beyond the sphere of world music. Her majestic, hypnotic and timeless songs have moved audiences with their grace and spiritual inspiration. Although this collection may be considered Césaria’s first “official” introduction to the dance/electronic market, the legendary diva is no stranger to clubland. Over the past few years, a handful of import 12” remix singles (released on BMG France distributed imprint Lusafrica) have surfaced which were embraced by a worldwide collective of influential DJs and tastemakers like Dimitri From Paris, Gilles Peterson, Pete Tong, Bob Sinclair, Jazzanova, Patrick Forge, DJ Deep, Ben Watt and Joe Claussell, as well as avid clubgoers and discerning dance music enthusiasts. Some of these remixes have also become coveted anthems appearing on various dance compilations such as Body & Soul NYC Vol. 2 (Wave), Costes La Suite (Pschent) and Nu Cool 3 (Hed Kandi), namely, François K.’s sumptuous reworking of “Sangue De Beirona” (from 1997’s Cabo Verde) - which is included on Club Sodade. The mix brilliantly captures the evocative passion of the original while transforming it into an infectious and transcendent deep house epic. The track remains one of the definitive highlights from NYC’s now-defunct “Body & Soul” Sunday night weekly party at Vinyl.

Under the direction of Gilb’R, Club Sodade: Césaria Évora by…is another jewel in the celebrated artist’s crown. The sparkling masterpiece melds the haunting and simplistic intensity of the chanteuse’s original compositions with deliciously creamy electronic-injected reconstructions for today’s cosmopolitan global club community. Club Sodade is a sophisticated and melodic fusion of sensorial electronic manipulations, buoyant techno textures, orchestral soulful house rhythms and upbeat Afro-Latin inspired grooves. Highlights include: Carl Craig’s tough Afro-tech reconstruction of “Angola,” which was recognized by BBC Radio One’s Giles Peterson as his #2 Best Track of 2003, Kerri Chandler’s bouncy Afrobeat-injected interpretations of “Nho Antone Escarderode” and “Nutridinha,” Señor Coconut’s brilliant “Cuban-samba meets space-age bachelor pad invention” remix of “Besame Mucho,” 4 Hero’s dreamy and soulful future jazz take on “Miss Perfumado,” and Chateau Flight’s sensuous reworking of “Petit Pays.”

Club Sodade: Césaria Évora by…is a sparkling achievement - a brilliant celebration of the formidable talent’s compelling works and a powerful testament to the universal appeal of good music. With these essential and innovative reconstructions from some of the electronic scene’s premier couriers, dance aficionados can now discover, experience and enjoy the timeless beauty of one of the world’s most treasured artists.

A native of the island nation of Cape Verde, Césaria Évora is known as the country's foremost practitioner of the morna, which is strongly associated with the islands and combines West African percussion with Portuguese fados, Brazilian modhinas, and British sea shanties. Évora began singing morna at age 16 after meeting an attractive young guitarist. Her talent soon had her performing all over the islands, and in the late '60s two of her radio tapes were released as albums in the Netherlands and Portugal, respectively.

However, Évora never left her country, and gave up singing in the mid-'70s owing to lack of profit. In 1985, at the age of 45, she decided to return to music and traveled to Portugal to record two songs for an anthology of female Cape Verdean singers. This led to subsequent recording sessions in Paris, which resulted in four albums from 1988 to 1992. Her international fame grew, and she toured Europe, Africa, Brazil, and Canada, with stops in the United States to perform for Cape Verdean audiences. In the fall of 1995, she mounted her first large-scale American tour; subsequent recordings include 1997's Cabo Verde and 1999's Mar Azul and Cafe Atlantico.

With Évora now a certified international star, the new millennium didn't see any loss of momentum for the singer and she continued to record and tour the globe. Her 2001 release, Sao Vicente, featured numerous collaborations, including appearances from Bonnie Raitt, Orquesta Aragón, and Brazilian superstar Caetano Veloso. Already a well-televised figure in Europe, her growing popularity in North America led to an appearance on The David Letterman Show; a DVD, Live in Paris; the reissue of her 1974 album Distino di Belita; and the 2004 Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music recording for Voz d'Amor. The same year she was recognized by French culture minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon as an Officer des Arts et des Lettres. After another extensive tour, in 2006 Évora released Rogamar, much of which was recorded in her hometown of Mindelo. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide