Lura, "Di Korpu Ku Alma"(Lusafrica) and Maria de Barros, "Dança Ma Mi"(Narada) - Cesaria Evora, the barefoot diva of Cape Verde, helped put the remote Atlantic archipelago on the map. Now the next generation of Cape Verdean singers is pushing the music forward.

Born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, where a large Cape Verdean émigré community resides, Lura has a refreshing, youthful voice. Her music reflects the styles of Santiago, the most African of the islands. Batuku usually involves a woman singing the lead verse and a group of others singing the refrain. Funana is an accordion-driven music and dance in which rhythm takes center stage.

Lura's sound is sensual and sexy, yet rooted in traditional forms and respectful of Cape Verde's daily struggles and triumphs.

Maria de Barros, originally from Senegal, emphasizes the upbeat dance aspects of Cape Verdean music. She swings from rhythmically complex coladeiras to bluesy mornas to joyful funanas.

"Dança Ma Mi" features tasty horn licks and irresistible beats. De Barros' vocals are variously celebratory and soulful. The goddaughter of Evora has not fallen far from the tree.

-Richard Chang