ALL ARTISTSAfrica > Cape Verde > Mayra Andrade
// Mayra Andrade
© A.C.
Navega
Andrade’s limpid voice was first brought to my attention thanks to my colleague Daniel Lieuze and his weekly programme “Tempo” on Radio France International. It was like a bolt of lightning, vocal gymnastics that seemed effortless and as soothing as a warm Atlantic breeze. She had just won a gold medal at the Francophonie Games at the age of 16 and had no commercial recording to dwell on. For the following five years, all her growing posse of fans could enjoy was a DVD, lovingly directed by her Pygmalion Jacques Chopin, and the live concerts which revealed a self-assurance and joie-de-scène belying her tender years.
Well, the long wait has ended. Guided by the enthusiastic hand of Henri Laurence for the BMG label, Navega confirms much of the hopes pinned on this articulate artist. 12 tracks have been chiselled out, made-to-measure for the delicate vocal chords of the Cape Verdian who settled in the French capital in 2003. The best of the Paris world scene have lent their know-how to shoulder this inaugural CD: bass player Etienne Mbappé of Cameroon, the Malagasy accordionist Regis Gizavo, a group of virtuosic Brazilians led by Hamilton de Holanda; and the lilting singer of Senegalese origin Tété, who provides the album’s only duo “Comme s’il en Pleuvait”. This is a French tune that proves Andrade is a comfortable in Molière’s language as in the Cape Verdian intonations of Santiago.
The archipelago’s largest island has thus added another name to a growing list of new talents nicknamed the “Panteira generation”. This is in reference to the talented musician Orlando Panteira who helped revolutionise this most African of island cultures by modernising its batuque and tabanka rhythms. Panteira’s brutal disappearance in 2001, aged 33, has not stopped his ideas and compositions from spreading to the likes of Andrade and Tchéka (who won the RFI Discoveries Award in 2005). Andrade includes four of Pandeira’s compositions, but she also opens the doors to other young and lesser-known composers from her homeland.
The result is an album that is both languid and vivifying. The change of pace in the title track is emblematic of Andrade’s restrained power and vibrancy. “Dimokranza” and “Mana” are other fine examples of her maturity, a rare ability to hold back and yet caress the lyrics. At times, one wills Mayra to unleash her voice more, to see how far her happy demeanour can become brazen. For the moment, it is concentrated like the sweet fragrance of an opening flower. The coming years will see if Andrade can broaden her promising palate.
Daniel Brown
// ALSO
- Tcheka
- MeStissage
- Youssou N'Dour
- Art Melody's futuristic African hip hop
- Khaled, Liberté
- Oliver Mtukudzi, Oliver Mtukudzi - African Soul Rebel
- Ayobaness!, The Sound of South African House
- Nigerian soul sensation Nneka live at Cargo 23 July
- BASS Festival Birmingham June 2010
// ALL MAYRA ANDRADE'S REVIEWS
Navega
01/06/2006
// DISCOGRAPHY
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Studio 105 (Album)
Stória, Stória (Album)
Navega (Album)// LINKS
RELATED ARTISTS
>> Teofilo Chantre
>> Ricardo Teté
>> Red Hot
>> Tcheka
>> Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
REPORTS
// CONTACT
Mad Minute Music (Agent)
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 10 25 55 Fax : +33 (0)1 40 10 17 37
5-7 rue Paul Bert St-Ouen FRA 93400
Send an email
Mayra Andrade's Website
Sony BMG (Label)
SONY BMG ENTERTAINMENT FRANCE
20/26 rue Morel Clichy FRA 92110
Send an email
Mayra Andrade's Website
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