Music Monday: Carmen Souza, Protegid

Sami Ewers

July 19th, 2010

Carmen Souza’s sounds can be categorized as a third Afro-Pop, a third Jazz, and a third what I’ll call, “Carmen Souza sounds.” The singer/songwriter integrates so much of her own musical style and talent into her tracks (and her latest album, Protegid) that they inevitably exude an eclectic sound and rhythm that are as pure and distinct as Carmen Souza herself.

Souza’s diverse sounds can be traced back to her roots–born in Lisbon to Christian parents from Cape Verde–where music was always a distinct element in her life. Souza began singing when she was 17 years old in a Lusophone Gospel Choir, and treated music as “her mission.” Theo Pas’cal, one of Portugal’s most well-known bass players, soon discovered Souza’s talents and became not only her mentor and producer, but also the person who introduced her to the Jazz sounds that have inspired her contemporary musical ambitions.

Altogether, Protegid is a showcase of Souza’s musical abilities and interests–her voice wavers beautifully up and down in a rhythmic style that is truly her own, while the Jazz-infused beats mingle with Souza’s intermittent (and often skat-like) singing. A beautiful album with a lot to offer, Souza’s sounds are unique in their own right.

Visit Carmen Souza’s MySpace page to learn more and hear her sounds.