Manhã Florida

Listening to Manhã Florida, it's easy to see why critics have praised Vieira as the finest voice of Cape Verde – she sings with an understated directness that allows her a perfect phrasing. On uptempo numbers she plays with words as if juggling, then on the ballads stretches vowels so they ache. Here, working with Cape Verde's celebrated songwriter and producer Teofilo Chantre, Vieira is backed by a large, primarily acoustic band who play beautifully, accompanying her bell-like vocals in a manner that emphasises the melody and subtle if complex rhythms, yet never gets in the way. Some of the songs here are morna standards, while others are new compositions by Chantre and his contemporaries; one number, ‘Porto Inseguro’, is written by Vieira. It's a testament to the album's strength that the songs flow together, the music's warmth imbued with morna's melancholy and understatement. Any faults? A couple of the songs coast by with piano and breathy vocals – pretty but lacking focus. Overall, Manhã Florida is immensely enjoyable, an album exuding grace and beauty. Nancy Vieira is not just a fine singer but one that anyone interested in contemporary music should pay attention to.