Track Listing

1. Vinheta Quebrante
2. Lenda
3. Malemolência
4. Roda
5. Rainha
6. 10 Contados
7. Vinheta Dorival
8. Mais Um Lamento
9. Concrete Jungle
10. Véu Da Noite
11. Valsa Pra Biu Roque
12. Ave Cruz
13. O Ronco Da Cuíca
14. Bobagem
15. Samba Na Sola
16. [CD-ROM Track]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1436 in Music
• Released on: 2007-04-03
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.com
It's no surprise that Starbucks is behind Brazilian chanteuse CéU's self-titled debut disc. (A co-release with the ever-tasteful Six Degrees Records.) The slinky, soulful sounds would be right at home amid mocha frapuccinos and lattes with extra foam. But CéU is more than a mere coffee-club cutie. Her sexy, assured vocals infuse every song with a come-hither vibe, from the playful "Rainha" to the simmering "10 Contados." The disc also showcases a slightly funky, urban sensibility; and electronic flourishes amplify the modern feel. "Vinheta Dorival" segues from standard guitar licks into gentle percussion rhythms. And a cover of Bob Marley's "Concrete Jungle" is elegant and effortless. Though originally released overseas in 2005, CéU's captivating collection still rings with truth and vibrancy. A truly caffeinated experience. --Joey Guerra

Customer Reviews

Immense Talent, So-So Album
Thanks to Starbucks, I suppose there's no need for background info for Ceu. She's a singer from Brasil that's both amazingly talented and rather beautiful too. Ziriguiboom/Crammed un-earthed another gem here with her, and thanks to Six-Degrees, the USA distribution channel, she's seen loads of publicity that've helped get her warranted notoriety.

So how can an immense talent have a 'so-so' album? Easy. The album starts well with "Lenda", a song first heard last year on Brazilectro 8. It was definitely one of the stand-outs and it shoots her sexiness and amazing voice & attitude to the fore-front. Great intro-track, the perfect mood-setter. That's followed up with "Malemolencia", which is okay but "Roda" came on and it wasn't necessarily what I was expecting... remembering the classic Roda as interpreted by Elis Regina. I quite liked "Vinheto Dorival" though - Ceu shows that above all, she's oozing with class as a singer with amazing range, able to raise and lower pitches in a heart-beat. "Concrete Jungle" was an interesting re-interpretation... not my favorite on the album, and it's one that will ultimately be forgettable, but again her voice saves the day. "Veu Da Noite" was interesting too - splashes of old funk. "O Conco da Cuica" was what seems like a normal thing in Brasil... redoing a classic. But this time, I RREALLY like the way she did it... FAR more so than Da Lata's from a few years ago.

So this isn't that bad of a debut for her. But it could've been so much better, given her voice. The sampling wasn't too bad and admittedly when you listen to this with a fantastic stereo, you do get a better feel of the music. There's no denying that Ceu's one to watch for in the future, if for no other reason than she's got more than enough natural talent. But the problem I did have with the album was that some of the songs were redundant and I hit FF on several tracks before they'd finish because they didn't go anywhere or keep my attention. Still, it's a great debut and I look forward to seeing her sophomore product which should be better. If you like this, do know this isn't completely unique... this has a very strong similarity to the underrated Mylene (Pires). Also check out Apollo Nove, Cibelle, other Ziriguiboom artists, and you may like another young artist named Sabrina Malheiros, daughter of Azymuth's Alex Malheiros, who's on Far Out Records. Lastly, you might also like Democustico.

One of the funnest, most relaxing CD's that you can buy
I bought this disc after sampling a few songs at the music store, and since then, I cannot stop listening to it. It's infectious and relaxing and just very sunny. I think that I must have played it at least 20 times and it has not gotten old. Her voice is a mix of sultry and sweet. Sometimes her voice reminds me of Erika Badhu, and a few times I heard a little Cassandra Wilson. Excellent CD!!

Refreshing brasilian music
I don't know why this CD don't have more reviews. I heard Ceu (sky in portuguese) for the first time 2 years ago in a small bar in Sao Paulo called Grazie Dio. She has a beautiful voice and an incredible "presence" on the stage.I bought her CD righ after the show and it stays at my cd player until now. She mix brazilian music (samba/MPB) with modern samples and eletronica. The hole CD are excelent but the highlights songs are: Lenda / Malemolencia / Rainha / Mais um Lamento /Concrete Jungle (beutiful version of Bob's Marley music)/O Ronco da Cuica. If you like BossaCucaNova / Cibelle / Zuco103 / Marcos Valle, don't miss this CD.