Search - Teofilo Chantre :: Azulando

Monsieur Chantre's French Charm

Estrelinha | 09/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a light, breezy, less Cape Verdean follow-up to Rodatempo. Teofilo's voice is more seductive than ever, gentle and peaceful in the opening song, Bola Azul, a bit jerky in Nada Mas Nada Menos (that's a strange song... but Mr. Chantre's inimitable charm is still there), and absolutely sensual in the lovely French ballad Les Bleuets Dans Les Bles (this one left me almost in love with Teofilo!) The next song is a duet with Cesaria Evora - a thing they should have done a long time ago! The other duet on this disk, Canta Cabo Verde, is with Angolan singer Bonga... the contrast between Teofilo's sweetness and Bonga's hoarseness is rather amusing, but for this upbeat, joyful anthem to Cabo Verde it's just as good as it gets. Another curious moment is Fonte di Nha Sodade, a beautiful "American jazzy" cut, at the end of which Teofilo even attempts to imitate an American jazz singer (not very successfully but quite charmingly). Vadiamundo and Um Novo Amor, with Vitorino Chantre's lyrics, are two lovely, wistful mornas. The rest of the songs are pleasant but not very remarkable, with a slight tendency to pop music. So it can be said that this disc has less sodade and salty sea winds that were blowing across Rodatempo. Listening to Azulando is like walking along the streets of Paris in the evening, looking at the new moon rising over the roofs in the blue sky... and feeling the light breeze, perhaps coming from the faraway sea and bringing some sodade into your heart."