Nancy Vieira

And now for something completely mellow. Just kick back and bathe in the warmth that is Nancy Vieira.

Nancy Viera was born in 1975 in Bissau, where her parents had joined the leader of the struggle for independence in Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau, Amilcar Cabral. Cabral was assassinated in 1973, just before Portugal’s colonial period ended with the Carnation Revolution in April 1974. Cape Verde gained independence in 1975. Four months after Nancy’s birth, the Vieira family moved to Praia, Cape Verde’s new capital on Santiago, one of the archipelago’s ten islands. Born to this newly-won liberty, she would acquire a strong sense of identity on her political and artistic journey. Her father, an amateur musician, guitarist and violinist, became Minister of Transport and Communication in the new government. Ten years later, he returned to Mindelo, the busy, metropolitan port on the island of São Vicente, where he acted as the governor of the Barlavento Islands

How many other singers get this kind of reporting in their home town news?

Lusafrica announced the release of No Amá, the fourth album from Cape-Verdean artist Nancy Vieira. No Amá opens with Maylen, a very charming song written by Mario Lucio – poet, musician, historian of African Creole culture and current minister of culture in the government led by José Maria Pereira Neves. Nancy Vieira is a rising star in Cape Verdean music. Her distinctive voice and delivery has brought the young singer critical acclaim as “the finest voice in Cape Verde” amongst the new generation. She performs a wide range of musical styles that unfold against a background of scrupulous classicism.As soon as we listen to the album, we are inevitably reminded of Cesaria Evora. Although the vocal textures and phrasing are very different, two things immediately strike you. The first is Nancy’s perfectly controlled, remarkably precise, highly distinctive voice, which has brought the young singer critical acclaim as “the finest voice in Cape Verde” among the new generation. The second is the wealth of musical styles that unfold against a background of meticulous classicism.

I defy you not to be moved by this song.
Maylen Album recorded by Nando Andrade, assisted par Espavi, at Studio La Villa (São Vicente).
Mixed in Studio do Soul (Paris) by Stéphane Caisson & José da Silva.
Album produced by José da Silva. (P) 2011
Harmonia Lda. (C) 2011 Harmonia Lda.

Also from the same album, no video just sound. And what a beautiful sound.
Na Oh Minino Na

This is one mellow lady, sooooo smooth.
TristalegriaLetra e música de Amândio Cabral

And finally today a live performance from last year 

Lua Nha TestemunhaNancy Vieira: Voz
Nuno Guerreiro: Voz
Rolando Semedo: Guitarra
Moisés Ramos: Teclado
Gustavo Roriz: Baixo
Abel Batista: Bateria