THE VERY BEST OF CESARIA EVORA

Personnel includes: Cesaria Evora, Kayah, Bonga (vocals); Nando Andrade (conductor); Armando Tito (guitar). Recorded between 1991 & 2002. Personnel: Armando Tito (guitar). Recording information: 1997-2001. Photographer: Youri Lenquette. Unknown Contributor Role: Fran?ois Post. That Cape Verde's C?saria ?vora is justifiably called the Queen of Morna, the music with the lilting ache, is beyond question; she can convey emotion in a small inflection of her voice. But the woman also known as the Barefoot Diva is just as surefooted on the more up-tempo coladeiras, and both styles are well represented on this compilation, which pulls from several of her albums over an 11-year period. The tracks of real interest, though, are those that have never seen the light of day before, including a new version of her trademark tune, "Sodade," featuring a duet vocal from Angola's Bonga that adds little to her original version. "Fala Pa Fala" takes her more into Afro-Cuban territory, rhythmically sprung but not especially memorable, and "Embaraca?ao," another duet, this time with Polish singer Kayah, proves equally forgettable. In fact, of the bonus tracks, only one, the lilting "Fidjo Maguado," is the equal of her best work. Those who are fans of ?vora's honeyed voice will likely already have her albums, and the previously unreleased material is only likely to attract the really hardcore. For those just looking for a way into the luminous world of ?vora's vocals, however, this is the perfect introduction. ~ Chris Nickson