By Li Robbins

Di Korpu Ku Alma [3 Stars Out of 4]
Lura
Lusafrica

Lura has been wrongly heralded as the next Cesaria Evora, the miscasting due to the simple fact that she is of Cape Verdean descent, and has even toured with Evora, famed "barefoot Diva." As this recording (its title translating as "of body and soul") so beautifully demonstrates, the music of the Lisbon-raised Lura actually hinges on other styles from the archipelago, particularly batuku and funana. Lura had her musical start in the pop-friendly styles of zouk and contemporary R&B, and occasionally there are treacly hints of same.   On the whole though, the powerfully voiced Lura deserves being judged purely on her own considerable merits. 

Lura plays the Lula Lounge in Toronto on Sept. 24.