There is no doubt about it, Portuguese diva Sara Tavares is gifted in both song writing and performing.  Her appropriately titled CD, Balance (pronounced balanc--aye) does just that, strikes a balance between breezy up-tempo songs and aching acoustic ballads.  She sings in Afro-Europea languages, (I borrowed that term from Zap Mama), and her songs journey through several styles from Angolan sembe (Poka Terra), to reggae rhythms on the Afro-Europea jazz, Planeta Sukri (features a duet with Boy Ge Mendes) and samba on one of my favorite tracks, Lisboa Kuya.  Tavares not only sings on the recording, she also plays acoustic guitar and percussion.  She proves that she is a talented arranger as well, blending polyrhythms with guitar, accordion, bass, electric guitar and other instruments.

Of course she does achieve this with the help of several musicians and guest vocalists including fadista Ana Moura, another up and coming talent, Melo D and as mentioned earlier, Boy Ge Mendes.  She saves Ana's vocals for the last track, De Nua, a memorable a cappella piece set over tribal beats.  And similar to the first track, you just can't help but walk away humming the song. Tavares knows how to compose catchy melodies which she sings over gorgeous chord progressions and allows the musicians on the recording to add the right touch in the right places.  Just listen to the soulful vocals set on top of haunting chord progressions on the song, Muna Xeia.  This song also proves that Tavares can handle solo performances as well as, collaborations with other musicians.  Again, she strikes a balance.

Similar to Lura, another young performer of the Cape Verdean diaspora, Tavares has searched for her roots, but also stretches out her cultural branches (a current theme this month).  She explains in the press release, "I want to be a part of a movement like the African Americans were, like the African Brazilians were.  Instead of doing the music of their ancestors, they have created this musical identity of their own.  And it is now respected...It will be a long time before the people from my generation do not have to choose between being African or European.  I think you shouldn't have to choose.  You should just be there.  Celebrate that.  Be that."  Whether listeners lump Tavares in either category or both, her CD promises to leave them with a feeling that all is well in the world.  Bom feeling.