Following in the footsteps of Cesaria Evora, who put the archipelago nation of Cape Verde's Sao Vicente island on the map, the fresh-faced and honey-voiced Lura brings us the musical style of one of the islands to the south, Santiago, on "Di Korpu Ku Alma(Of Body and Soul)." Santiago would be hard-pressed to find a more worthy musical ambassador.

The CD/DVD package features eleven tracks, many of them originals, plus a nearly hour-long video of a live concert at Paris' Grand Rex where she opened for Evora. Lura's voice has the depth and sultriness of Toni Braxton with a much more refined delivery and broader range of expressions. Her elegant stage presence is matched by her top-notch band _ equally skilled at conveying the Portuguese and West African influences that are the bedrock of the music. Also included on the DVD is a brief profile of the artist, two music videos and a photo slideshow.

— Aimee Maude Sims